Dissecting chikungunya virus adaptation by functional analysis (Acronym: CHIVA)

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Christine Goffinet
• Subject Area: Virology ; Immunology
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 500117721

The occurrence of two consecutive, closely monitored and well-documented CHIKV outbreaks in Thailand provides a unique opportunity to study evolution of this emerging, arthritogenic alphavirus and the functional consequence of corresponding fixed non-synonymous mutations. Their potential consequence on CHIKV infection and transmission, as well as on the virus´sensitivity to cell-intrinsic and humoral antiviral immunity, remains unknown. Here, we will set up a comprehensive experimental pipeline that functionally characterizes key amino acid changes that occurred in the past major CHIKV outbreak in Thailand. The German-Thai team will merge their individual expertise, allowing setting up a competitive research program that combines basic research for elucidation of functional properties of mutated viral structural and non-structural proteins in the context of virus replication and cell-intrinsic immune evasion, and analysis of well-characterized clinical samples, including the ability of patients´ sera to cross-neutralize heterologous viral strains and mutants. This pipeline will be useful for the interpretation of already identified viral mutations, and for rapid research implementation of those identified during future outbreaks.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Thailand, United Kingdom
• Partner Organisation: National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA); National Innovation Agency; Program Management Unit for Human Resources ; and Institutional Development
• Cooperation Partners: Professor Dr. Yong Poovorawan; Dr. Sompong Vongpunsawad