Predicting viral-immune co-evolution (B02)

• Subject Area: Virology
• Term: since 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 325931972

Project B2 focuses on fitness models for viral pathogens based on antigen-antibody interactions. In recent years, our fitness model for influenza has become an established method to predict the evolution of seasonal influenza lineages and to guide the selection of vaccine strains. Next, in collaboration with project B1, we will map specific molecular interactions with human antibodies. The resulting predictions will, for the first time, be based on human (rather than ferret) immune interaction data. In parallel, we will adapt our computational pipeline to map emerging antigenic variation and its fitness effects in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1310: Predictability in Evolution
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Michael Lässig