Robert Davey works on host–virus interactions, in particular for viral hemorrhagic fever viruses, studying how virus proteins interact with host proteins to promote virus replication and alter cell functions. This knowledge is used to identify key interactions that can be used as targets of small-molecule intervention. His lab also performs small-molecule screens to identify potent small molecules that interfere with infection and then seeks to identify the viral and host targets involved. The work involves in vitro testing and is then applied in animal disease models.