Objective RNA interference (RNAi) is a process of double-stranded RNA-dependent post-transcriptional gene silencing. It has become one of the most powerful and widely used strategies for genetic analysis based on the highly specific and efficient silencing of target genes. RNAi library screens have gained much attention from virologists resulting in the publication of several whole-genome short interfering RNA (siRNA) screens that identified numerous new host genes impacting RNA-virus replication. Although extremely powerful, one major shortcoming of current siRNA screens is the inherent risk of off-target effects, leading to high false positive rates. This proposal is geared towards the development of ‘next-generation’ lentiviral shRNA library screens that solve many problems existing in current RNAi screens and to exploit these libraries to identify host-factors critical for the infection cycle of human herpesviruses and for virus-induced ER-associated degradation (ERAD). Besides development of powerful whole genome shRNA library screens, these efforts will lead to new insights into the biology of human herpesvirus infections and boost research to explore the underlying cellular biology of these processes. Additionally, the identified virus-host interactions could be exploited to develop new antiviral therapies by specifically targeting host genes critically involved in virus infections. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologyvirologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsRNAnatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsgenomes Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG - Marie-Curie Action: "Career Integration Grants" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG) Coordinator UNIVERSITAIR MEDISCH CENTRUM UTRECHT EU contribution € 100 000,00 Address HEIDELBERGLAAN 100 3584 CX Utrecht Netherlands See on map Region West-Nederland Utrecht Utrecht Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Emmanuel Wiertz (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data