Objective VirApt addresses the need for novel therapeutic and prophylactic interventions against HIV-infection to limit the spread and the devastating effects of the global AIDS epidemic on societies in developing countries, and to provide therapeutic options in t he developed world as resistance to multi-drug treatment increases. In particular, the project aims to generate novel antiviral RNA aptamers that effectively inhibit entry of HIV. Aptamers are relatively short (12-30 base) single-stranded oligonucleotide s that assume defined, stable conformations and bind tightly to very specific targets. VirApt will primarily focus on aptamers that target membrane fusion, but will also endeavour to select aptamers that inhibit HIV entry at the level of receptor or co-r eceptor binding. The aptamers will be developed along three lines: as an antiviral drug, as a topical microbicide and as a basis for the design of a small molecular weight entry inhibitor. In VirApt, European expertise required to reach these goals was a ssembled, including a group experienced in aptamer isolation (Peter Stockley, Leeds), an SME that focuses on the development of antiviral therapies (Dorothee von Laer, Vision7, Hannover) and experts in structure analysis (Felix Rey, Paris). The selection of oligonucleotide aptamers is a basic and important platform technology from which products with a broad range of different applications will be developed. VirApt can help promote this crucial technology in Europe. Fields of science medical and health scienceshealth sciencesinfectious diseasesRNA virusesHIVnatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsRNAmedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsantivirals Programme(s) FP6-LIFESCIHEALTH - Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health: Thematic Priority 1 under the Focusing and Integrating Community Research programme 2002-2006. Topic(s) LSH-2004-2.3.0-7 - Research in poverty-related diseases by SMEs Call for proposal FP6-2004-LIFESCIHEALTH-5 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme STREP - Specific Targeted Research Project Coordinator VISION7 GMBH EU contribution No data Address Eiermarkt 3C BURGWEDEL Germany See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all INSTITUT PASTEUR France EU contribution No data Address 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux PARIS See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Woodhouse Lane LEEDS See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
