Objective
Influenza infections represent a worldwide problem both in terms of public health and economic consequences. Seasonal influenza epidemics affect 3 to 5 million people annually and are estimated to cause 250,000-500,000 deaths globally. Besides, recurrent pandemics are a serious threat because novel viruses can emerge to which the population has no pre-existing immunity. In the event of such a situation, existing vaccines would be unlikely to be effective and production of a vaccine matching the pandemic virus would require several months. In addition, existing antiviral treatments are very limited and development of resistance by the virus would reduce their effectiveness. Thus, there is clearly an urgent need to develop new treatments for the control of influenza.
The viral RNA polymerase is at the core of the transcription and replication complex of influenza virus and it is a crucial factor for pathogenicity and host restriction. Its activity is regulated by interactions with the host cell. Previous research in the host group has shown that the viral polymerase interacts with cellular RNA polymerase II (Pol II), but many aspects of this interaction remain unclear and its biological role is not known. This project will explore this interaction under the hypothesis that it is required for synthesis of viral mRNA. We will map the Pol II-binding domain of the viral polymerase. If the interaction is not direct we will identify the mediating factor(s) using proteomic approaches. The functional significance of the association between viral polymerase and Poll II will be investigated in vivo using a combination of reverse genetics and ChIP-sequencing approaches. This project is expected to identify novel druggable targets where essential interactions between the viral machinery and host cell factors can be disrupted, which may ultimately lead to the development of new antiviral drugs against influenza infection.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology virology
- medical and health sciences health sciences public health epidemiology pandemics
- medical and health sciences health sciences infectious diseases RNA viruses influenza
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs vaccines
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs antivirals
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
OX1 2JD Oxford
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.