Lassa virus: host cell tropism and molecular pathogenesis (B05)

• Subject Area: Virology
• Term: since 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 197785619

Lassa virus (LASV) is the causative agent of Lassa fever, a human hemorrhagic disease associated with high mortality. In this project, we want to investigate host cell tropism and replication kinetics of LASV in human cells of the central nervous system (CNS) targeted by LASV during systemic infection. We also aim to determine host cell responses associated with LASV CNS infection and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of LASV Z protein in host cell modulation during neurotropic infection.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1021: RNA Viruses: RNA Metabolism, Host Response and Pathogenesis
• Applicant Institution: Philipps-Universität Marburg
• Project Head: Dr. Thomas Strecker