Analysing the interactions of arthropod-borne viruses with their arthropod host. (360G-Wellcome-079699_Z_06_Z)

£546,214

Emerging and re-emerging diseases, many of which are arthropod-borne viruses (or arboviruses), remain a major threat to public health. These viruses can cause serious, sometimes deadly, illness, with symptoms ranging from fever, arthritis to encephalitis and hemorrhagic fever. While our understanding of the mammalian immune response is very detailed, we still only have limited knowledge as to how the arthropod vector deals with virus infection. The arthropod immune system has ways of dealing with bacteria and parasites, and the signalling pathways are well characterised for the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. From what we know so far from disease carrying mosquitoes, it is safe to assume that their signalling mechanisms are very similar. The goals of this project are to understand how arthropod-borne viruses spread through the arthropod host, where, how and what signalling pathways are activated in response to viral infection, and what the consequences at the cellular and molecular level are for the arthropod. We will also try to find whether any viral proteins are necessary to counteract any antiviral defences. In the first instance we will use Semliki Forest virus, an arthropod-borne member of the Togaviridae family, but in principle the studies are applicable to and could be extended to other arboviruses.

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Grant Details

Amount Awarded 546214
Applicant Surname Kohl
Approval Committee Basic Science Interview Committee
Award Date 2006-06-01T00:00:00+00:00
Financial Year 2005/06
Grant Programme: Title Research Career Development Fellowship
Internal ID 079699/Z/06/Z
Lead Applicant Prof Alain Kohl
Partnership Value 546214
Planned Dates: End Date 2010-09-30T00:00:00+00:00
Planned Dates: Start Date 2006-10-01T00:00:00+00:00
Recipient Org: Country United Kingdom
Region Scotland
Sponsor(s) Prof Anthony Nash