Objective Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major global health problem resulting in progressive liver disease, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma – the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Although HBV structure and genome have been characterized, key aspects of the viral life cycle remain poorly understood because of the lack of a robust HBV infectious tissue culture system. Moreover, despite the development of a safe and efficient vaccine, over 240 million people are chronically infected with HBV. Thus, the development of efficient anti-viral strategies to cure HBV infection remains a critical unmet medical need. To date, there is an important gap of knowledge in basic HBV biology that results in the lack of identified drug targets to cure chronic HBV infection. These limitations can now be overcome using a state-of-the-art HBV tissue culture model combined with technological advances in genetics and proteomics. The aim of HIPShot (Hbv genetIc and Proteomic Screen) is to use cutting-edge screening techniques in human cells to identify host factors that are essential for HBV infection and at the same time targets for antiviral cure. With my expertise in using forward genetic screening and proteomic approaches, I decided to join one of the leading groups in HBV research, lead by Prof. Thomas Baumert (TB) and based at Inserm Unit U1110 of Université de Strasbourg (UdS), to exploit novel technologies in the investigation of host-virus interaction. The proposed project will provide unmatched insights into the basic biology of HBV infection by shedding new light on cellular host factors exploited by HBV to replicate and persist in human cells. These identified host factors will constitute direct drug targets with an important therapeutic potential. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsproteomicsmedical and health scienceshealth sciencesinfectious diseasesDNA viruseshepatitis Bmedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsvaccinesmedical and health sciencesclinical medicinehepatologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsantivirals Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2017 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2017 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-RI - RI – Reintegration panel Coordinator UNIVERSITE DE STRASBOURG Net EU contribution € 185 076,00 Address RUE BLAISE PASCAL 4 67081 Strasbourg France See on map Region Grand Est Alsace Bas-Rhin Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 185 076,00
