Kunz Virology Lab

Human pathogenic emerging viruses

Using viruses causing hemorrhagic fevers as a model, our laboratory studies the fundamental mechanisms controlling virus-host cell interactions in order to identify the processes regulating transmission, dissemination and pathogenesis. This approach is complemented by applied research aimed at identifying new strategies to combat emerging pathogenic viruses.

Our major goal is to identify novel therapeutics to combat haemorrhagic fever viruses and respiratory viruses.

Our objectives are:

• To perform basic virology research to decipher virus-host interactions and identify steps in the viral lifecycle which could constitute suitable targets for therapeutic intervention

Figure 1: Schematic representation of the cell-based assays used to study the entry of haemorrhagic fever viruses into host cells

- To develop cell-based assays suitable for
high-throughput drug screening, in order to
identify novel antivirals;

- To implement virus neutralization tests.

Figure 2: Infection of Vero E6 cells with several Ebola viruses (pseudovirus). The GFP gene reporter is widely used for high-throughput drug screening.