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Project

The construction of biologically contained filovirus systems and their purposes in antiviral compound screening and receptor binding associated studies.

In previous years, Dr. Bert Vanmechelen has proven the relevance of biologically contained filovirus systems and their leap forward in antiviral compound screening (PhD title: Development and application of filovirus reverse genetics systems for antiviral compound screening). Since the genus Ebolavirus encloses 6 distinct species, (all with different properties in terms of symptomatic outcome, cell entry, …) an individual system for each species can be of great use in academic as well as in industrial practices. As of recent times, the aforementioned construct is available for Zaïre Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus, and thus 5 Ebola systems remain to be achieved. With all the experience and knowledge in our ZIDU research group, I believe in a successful continuation of Bert his captivating project. Moreover, new objectives like receptor-binding associated studies and atomic force microscopy will be included in my doctoral training.

Date:18 Jan 2022 →  Today
Keywords:filoviruses, Ebola, Marburg, Reverse genetics
Disciplines:Infectious diseases, Virology
Project type:PhD project