Verbund "FluResearchNet" - Molekulare Signaturen als Determinanten der Pathogenität und der Speziestransmission von Influenza A-Vieren (FluResearchNet)

Grunddaten zu diesem Projekt

Beschreibung

Influenza viruses are unique among respiratory pathogens of humans, because apart from their seasonal circulation in the population, they also have a huge natural reservoir in birds, which provides an ineradicable pool of viral genes that contribute to the generation of novel pandemic virus strains. The recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) in domestic and feral birds and their exceptional virulence in humans underline the constant risk for the emergence of a novel influenza pandemic. In order to improve specific actions for pandemic preparedness and to control future outbreaks we need to better understand how and why these pathogens become capable of crossing host species barriers. In addition to viral factors, the interaction of the virus with cells of host tissues and the genetic susceptibility and specific host-cell responses to infection are crucial determinants of pathogenicity and species transmission. The FLURESEARCHNET is a research network funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) that will jointly address these issues by specifically focusing on different host species and tissues with regard to viral and cellular determinants of pathogenicity as well as cellular responses and genetic susceptibility to infection. With regard to affected host tissues a primary focus will be given to the infected lung epithelium. In addition the endothelium will be studied as a target of infection with HPAIV. Different and unique models of viral host adaptation will be applied not only in cultured cells but also in several animal models including mice (wildtype, genetic variants and genetically engineered), guinea pigs, ferrets, different avian species (wildtype and transgenic), and the pig. Furthermore, the FLURESEARCHNET will enforce activities to complement the existing epidemiological and diagnostic programs of the National Reference Centers (NRC) for human and avian influenza and the recently initiated “Forschungs Sofortprogramm Influenza (FSI)” of the BMBF. The overall goal of the network program will be achieved in a multidisciplinary approach by integrating a group of expert researchers from basic virology and immunology, clinical medicine and infectiology as well as human and veterinary medicine within the FLURESEARCHNET consortium. This research network will be highly complementary to ongoing national and international activities, build strong associations with these programs as well as with the NRCs and thereby will fill an evident gap in the research activities on zoonotic influenza in Germany. We believe that the overall conception of the FLURESEARCHNET will yield a sustainable framework that will significantly strengthen German influenza research for the future.