Scientists Launch Project to Understand How Viruses Hijack Human Cells

A new European research project, coordinated from Spain by scientist Juan Fontana of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), aims to unravel the mechanisms by which certain viruses transform human cells into “viral factories.” The project seeks to identify vulnerabilities in this process, potentially paving the way for new antiviral treatments.

Unlocking the Secrets of Viral Factories

Viral factories are unique structures created within infected cells where viruses replicate and assemble new viral particles. Researchers will investigate how bunyaviruses, a family of viruses responsible for diseases like Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and Rift Valley fever, reorganize host cell components to construct these factories. The goal is to understand how these viruses take control of cellular machinery.

International Collaboration and Cutting-Edge Technology

The five-year project is a collaborative effort involving researchers from the Biofisika Institute of the CSIC and the University of the Basque Country in Spain, as well as the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom and the New Institute for Medical Biological Systems in Portugal. The research will be funded by Wellcome, a global foundation dedicated to improving health through scientific research.

The team will employ a combination of advanced techniques, including molecular biology, proteomics, artificial intelligence (AI), and electron microscopy, to study the viral hijacking process. This multi-faceted approach will allow them to map the molecular interactions and structural changes that occur within the cell during viral factory formation.

Juan Fontana’s Expertise in Viral Structures

Juan Fontana, a CSIC Senior Research Scientist, brings extensive experience in electron microscopy and structural biology to the project. His previous perform has focused on characterizing the replication complexes of Bunyamwera and rubella viruses, elucidating how these viruses interact with cellular components. Biofisika Institute. He has likewise studied viral entry and morphogenesis, including research on influenza and HIV. Google Scholar.

Implications for Future Treatments

By identifying key components and processes involved in viral factory formation, researchers hope to pinpoint vulnerable points that can be targeted with antiviral drugs. This research could contribute to the development of new therapies against emerging and re-emerging viral threats.