Objective
Outbreaks of influenza A in humans, birds and animals constitute a continuous major threat to public health as influenza A viruses are capable of species shifts and enormous genetic variation. More than two decades ago, influenza entry was described to occur by endocytosis via clathrin-coated pits. Some evidence was also found for an alternative, clathrin-independent endocytic pathway, but it has not received attention until recently. I will focus on the novel, alternative process. Another virus becoming clinically more important, human cytomegalovirus (hCMV), can be detected in over 80% of the worlds population. Although most humans keep a latent infection without any symptoms, the virus can be reactivated in immuno-compromised individuals. Furthermore, severe mental defects as well as deafness can occur in case of congenital infection of newborns which is up to 1% of all newborns in the USA.
The endocytic entry mechanism of hCMV is largely unknown. Only recently specific integrin-subunits were identified as receptors. I propose to investigate the entry mechanism of hCMV in more detail. In general, the whole analysis will be carried out in a comparative manner to two already quite well studied model pathogens, namely simian virus 40 (SV40) and semliki forest virus (SFV). Experimentally, I will investigate the behaviour of individual, labelled viruses in and on cells using state of the art life-cell-imaging microscopy. I will set up screening assays for influenza A and hCMV infection applying siRNAs in a loss of function screen. Construction of stable cell lines harbouring a conditional RNAi / shRNA knockdown system targeting the clathrin-dependent uptake mechanism will enable me to separate the pathway from the parallel clathrin-dependent pathway.
These result s are expected to provide crucial information on endocytosis in general as well as reveal key steps in the entry process offering targets for antiviral therapy based on cellular factors.
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
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs antivirals
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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.
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.
FP6-2005-MOBILITY-5
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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
ZURICH
Switzerland
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.