Objective
Identification of the full complement of genes and other functional elements in any virus is crucial to fully understand its molecular biology and guide the development of effective control strategies. Our recent discoveries of new 'hidden' genes in the potyviruses, alphaviruses, arteriviruses, flaviviruses and influenza A virus have demonstrated that, even in the most well-studied and economically-important viruses, small overlapping genes can remain undetected throughout decades of research. Comparative computational analyses can be used to efficiently identify hidden features and target experimental analyses, thus saving time and cost, and minimizing animal experiments. With the rapid increase in sequencing data, for the first time it is now possible to map out at high resolution functional elements genome-wide in hundreds of important virus species.
Our research involves the development of powerful new tools for virus comparative genomics, and the application of these tools to uncover hidden genes and other functional elements in RNA virus and retrovirus genomes. Hidden genes are often translated via non-canonical mechanisms, such as programmed ribosomal frameshifting, and we are particularly interested in discovering and characterizing new types of non-canonical translation. Deciphering these 'exceptions-to-the-rule' enhances our understanding of the mechanics of protein synthesis. Further, these novel mechanisms may also be relevant to cellular gene expression.
The goals of this project are:
1) To computationally identify all 'hidden' genes and major functional non-coding elements in the genomes of RNA viruses and retroviruses of medical, veterinary and agricultural importance.
2) To experimentally characterize the most interesting new features.
3) To characterize novel translation mechanisms utilized by RNA viruses.
4) To develop web interfaces to our software and an interactive RNA virus comparative genomics database.
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 ebola
- medical and health sciences health sciences infectious diseases RNA viruses influenza
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs antivirals
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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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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
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.
ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant
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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) ERC-2014-CoG
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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.
CB2 1TN Cambridge
United Kingdom
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.