Reidun Twarock

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About

Reidun Twarock is a pioneering mathematical biologist whose work bridges virology, structural biology, and applied mathematics. Her key research areas include the physical principles governing virus assembly, RNA packaging signals, and the evolution of viral capsid architecture. Twarock’s major contribution lies in uncovering how RNA Packaging Signals (PSs)—short, conserved nucleotide motifs in viral genomes—orchestrate the precise and efficient assembly of viruses, including Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and other ssRNA viruses. Her 2022 dataset on high-throughput ligand screening against HBV RNA PSs (3 citations) exemplifies her innovative approach to targeting these signals for antiviral drug design. With over 3,000 citations across her career, Twarock’s work has fundamentally shifted the understanding of viral self-assembly from a passive to an actively regulated process. She is also renowned for developing the “Twarock model” of capsid geometry, which explains the structural constraints of viral shells. A recipient of multiple prestigious fellowships, including a Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award, Twarock’s research has profound implications for designing novel antivirals and synthetic virus-like particles for nanotechnology. Her interdisciplinary work continues to inspire students and researchers at the interface of mathematics and molecular biology.