Project description
Understanding mechanisms of virus–insect vector interaction helps to predict future outbreaks
Prediction of future outbreaks and which viruses and mosquitoes will cause them requires an understanding of the mechanisms of virus susceptibility and mosquito transmission. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ZIKVMosTransmit project aims to identify both the viral and mosquito factors, determining the molecular compatibility of the Zika virus with its vector Aedes aegypti. The study will analyse the mosquito–virus protein interactome to identify and validate the mosquito factors regulating virus susceptibility. The viral genes required for efficient transmission by mosquitoes will be uncovered by a chimeric constructs approach and comparison of transmission efficiency. Project results will provide new information about vector–virus specificity and enhance understanding of mosquito-borne virus emergence.
Objective
The public health response to emerging mosquito-borne viral diseases is often inefficient, because the causative agents are recognized and the prevention measures are deployed, only after the disease has spread. To predict which viruses and mosquitoes have the highest potential to cause future outbreaks, understanding the mechanisms determining the virus susceptibility of mosquitoes and the mosquito transmissibility of viruses is needed. In this study, I propose a two-pronged approach to identify both the viral and mosquito factors involved in molecular compatibility between the human pathogenic Zika virus and its main vector Aedes aegypti by combining my skills in molecular virology with the host lab’s expertise in mosquito experimental infections in vivo. First, I will examine the mosquito-virus protein interactome by a proteomics strategy based on cross-linking, immunoaffinity purification and mass spectrometry. Mosquito factors regulating virus susceptibility will be identified by subtractive comparison of virus-binding mosquito proteins between two mosquito strains displaying different levels of Zika virus susceptibility. The correlation between virus susceptibility and the identified proteins will be validated by gene-knockdown assays and expression surveys using a collection of mosquito strains. Second, I will use an innovative reverse genetics system to create chimeric Zika viruses from two parental virus strains with different levels of mosquito transmissibility. The viral genes required for efficient transmission by mosquitoes will be identified by comparing transmissibility between chimeric constructs. Together, this project will provide important new insights into vector-virus specificity and significantly improve our understanding of mosquito-borne virus emergence.
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.
- medical and health sciences health sciences public health
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins proteomics
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology virology
- natural sciences chemical sciences analytical chemistry mass spectrometry
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology invertebrate zoology
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
75724 Paris
France
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.