PIF2024 - ESTUDIO DE INTERACCIONES VIRUS-HOSPEDADOR EN INFECCIONES POR FLAVIVIRUS PATOGENOS (PID2023148390OB-I00)

Positive-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses cause several of the most prevalent human diseases of viral etiology More than 400 million dengue virus (DENV) infections occur per year, leading to 500,000 hospitalizations and 25,000 deaths, primarily among children. It is well-established that DENV deploys a diverse armamentarium to counteract antiviral innate responses. We propose using experimental evolution and molecular virology approaches to define novel genetic elements devoted to DENV counteracting mechanisms and reverse genetics to characterize specific mutations. This will involve working with mutant viruses in a BSL3 laboratory. We will also use data generated in our laboratory to study a novel regulator of innate antiviral responses, silencing of which causes exacerbated innate immune responses to RNA virus infection. State-of-the-art approaches will be combined with novel, experimental techniques based on biorthogonal protein labelling by “click” chemistry and proteomics to define the molecular events governing antiviral innate responses. The trainee will participate in lab and Department meetings, and in learning activities available to CNB (courses, seminars), as well as in the available programs for visits to other laboratories. The CNB (Severo Ochoa Excellence Award) has a specific Ph.D. Training Advisory Committee (see CNB webpage) and a Thesis Advisory Committee was recently set in place to provide a complete individual quality assessment of the PhD.