Objective
Emerging influenza A virus (FLUAV) infections pose a considerable health threat to mankind. The molecular determinants governing increased virulence of emerging virus strains in humans are presently not well known. We propose to identify and study the essential viral and host factors that determine the outcome of infection. FLUAV enters the human respiratory tract and must replicate in the face of multiple innate immune defence mechanisms to establish infection in vivo. Successful viruses must adapt to intrinsic cellular restriction factors and evolve the capacity of circumventing the antiviral interferon (IFN) response, either by limiting IFN production or by blocking IFN actions.
We will test the hypothesis that the speed and efficiency by which a given virus circumvents these early host responses are critical determinants in its host range and pathogenicity. In this respect, the crucial role of the virus polymerase and its cellular interactors will be analysed. Likewise, the importance of the IFN-inducible Mx GTPase as a major anti-FLUAV effector molecule will be evaluated. Virus-induced inflammatory cytokines and chemokines exert powerful effects against FLUAV in lung epithelial cells.
However, they may be detrimental to the host, causing accelerated influenza pathogenesis in the human respiratory tract. We will analyse viral factors governing the innate antiviral cytokine response and determine the impact of these factors on virus growth, cell survival and pathogenicity. Human, avian and porcine FLUAV will be used in animal models and in cell culture systems, such as human airway epithelium. The present studies should generate important information that will help to better understand the processes involved in the emergence of lethal influenza viruses and to develop efficient control measures against these devastating pathogens.
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 infectious diseases RNA viruses influenza
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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-SSP-5-B-INFLUENZA
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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
FREIBURG
Germany
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.