Filoviruses: Correlates of Protection and Development of Countermeasures

Filoviruses, and in particular Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus, are hemorrhagic fever viruses that can cause acute febrile illnesses with a high mortality rate. Currently no approved vaccination or treatment for use in humans exists for either of these viruses. The goal of this research project is to identify biomarkers of Ebolavirus or Marburgvirus (filovirus) disease outcome using next-gen DNA analysis targeting genes of the innate immune system of filovirus-infected patients and to identify small molecules that display activity against filoviruses. To do this, we aim to optimize a method that allows the high-throughput screening of several large small-molecule compound libraries for their antiviral activity, using a fully automated, robotized high-content imaging system. Compounds that are identified as filovirus inhibitors will be investigated in greater detail to fully characterize their pharmacological parameters and resistance profile. With the work done during this project, we hope to improve our baseline knowledge of the innate immune responses to filovirus infection and to pave the way for the development of new therapeutics for Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus diseases.

Keywords:Filoviridae, Ebolavirus, Marburg virus, Antiviral therapy, Innate immunity

Disciplines:Microbiology, Systems biology, Laboratory medicine