Objective
RNA viruses have the highest mutation frequencies in nature, which are in large part attributed to the low fidelity of their viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRp). Explosive replication kinetics coupled with high mutation rates quickly generate highly diverse populations that have been observed for all RNA viruses. Recently, we have developed a model system to study the roles that RNA virus mutation rates and population heterogeneity play in virus fitness, virulence and pathogenesis in vivo. The system relies on altering the RdRp fidelity of poliovirus, thereby changing the amount of genetic diversity present in a population. We found that increasing or decreasing genetic diversity strongly attenuates the virus and may constitute a novel strategy to engineer live virus vaccines. However, the poliovirus infection model of transgenic mice presents significant limitations that do not permit more detailed studies of the mechanisms behind these observations. To further extend our preliminary results, we will develop two new infection models, to study the role of genetic diversity and population dynamics of RNA viruses infecting their hosts naturally. These models will be used to uncover the mechanisms by which genetic diversity is generated, the points in infection when it is critical and the specific bottlenecking events or subpopulations that are involved at these critical points. We will use new deep sequencing technology, coupled to concepts in population genetics, to develop new strategies for vaccine discovery based on the modulation of RNA virus populations.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
ERC-2009-StG
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Host institution
75724 Paris
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.