Project description
Unravelling the mysteries of monkeypox
Monkeypox, a virus related to smallpox, has seen a rise in cases beyond its usual African endemic regions, with recent transmission linked to sexual contact. However, not everyone exposed to the virus develops severe symptoms or falls ill. The EU-funded DECIPHER-MPOX project aims to understand why. Focusing on the Kamituga area in South Kivu, DRC, researchers will investigate host genetic and viral factors that influence disease outcomes. By analysing family cohorts and conducting genetic, transcriptomic, and immune profile studies, the project hopes to uncover determinants of susceptibility and protection, potentially guiding future vaccine strategies.
Objective
Background: Monkeypox virus (MPV) is a member of the Poxviridae family that includes smallpox, cowpox and chickenpox viruses. Endemic to equatorial Africa following casual human to animal or human to human transmission , recent events have seen an increased incidence with indications of sexual transmission. The disease is characterized by fever, muscle aches, skin rash, lymphadenopathy, oral sores, sore throat, cough, etc. Within any cluster of high risk contacts of a case mpox; however, not everyone exposed develops clinical disease. Moreover, among those contacts who develop mpox, not everyone gets severe disease or dies.
Hypothesis: Host genetic & viral factors explain the differential outcomes following exposure to MPV.
Objectives: To determine the host genetic and viral determinants of mpox disease in Kamituga area, South Kivu province, DRC. Specifically, we will (I) establish well phenotyped cohorts of house-hold contacts, (II) determine rare variants via family trios; (III) undertake RNASeq for transcriptomics, and (IV) study differential cellular immunity profiles using digital cell sorting (DCS) , (V) identify viral variants that drive severe disease
Methods: Whole exome sequencing (WES), transcriptomics and DCS studies of house-family contacts clinically prequalified by PCR and serological testing. Virus gDNA will be reverse transcribed from sequenced host RNA and characterized by comparative genomics and phylogeny.
Potential impact: This project will elucidate host genetic & viral determinants of susceptibility to mpox disease in context of natural exposure and infection; that may serve as correlates of immune protection following vaccination.
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 biological morphology comparative morphology
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology virology
- medical and health sciences health sciences public health epidemiology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- social sciences political sciences government systems
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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.2.1 - Health
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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
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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-JU-RIA - HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2024-Mpox
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2131 Sandringham
South Africa
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