Dr. Rachel Edgar

Associate Professor

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Biography

Rachel Edgar's lab investigates how cells and viruses interact to understand infection susceptibility, virus replication, and transmission. The focus is on host osmotic protein homeostasis, biomolecular condensates, circadian rhythms, inflammation, and antiviral immunity. She joined Imperial College London in December 2017, holding a Royal Society - Wellcome Sir Henry Dale Fellowship. Rachel studied Natural Sciences and completed her PhD in herpesvirus biology at the University of Cambridge in 2012. She gained experience in circadian biology and neuroscience while working as a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Cambridge Institute of Metabolic Science, and as an investigator scientist at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology. Her research interests include the homeostatic state of cells when encountering pathogens, and the changes to this state throughout the day, as well as the extracellular environment and prior cellular activity. Rachel's lab is particularly interested in how specific factors influence infection susceptibility and the replication of viruses, particularly during different times of day. They use physiologically relevant primary cell models and natural host-pathogen pairs to test their hypotheses, while also seeking novel ways to prevent virus transmission, particularly concerning respiratory infections like SARS-CoV-2 and influenza.

Research Interests

Experience

Senior Research Fellow

2017-12-01 — Present

Imperial College London • London, England

Leads a research lab focusing on the interaction between cells and viruses, particularly concerning infection susceptibility and virus replication.

Requirements for Imperial College London

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
IELTS
Listening
Required:6.5
Reading
Required:6.5
Writing
Required:6.5
Speaking
Required:6.5
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:22
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:22
Total
Required:100
Duolingo
Overall Score
Required:125
Overall
Required:125
Prerequisites
Materials Science Mechanical Engineering Civil Engineering Chemical Engineering Physics Chemistry
Application Checklist
  • Personal statement
  • CV/resume
  • Official university transcripts
  • Two academic or professional references
  • Application fee (£90)
Specialization Notes

Specialisms available in Materials for the Energy Transition or Theory and Simulation of Materials.