Morphogenesis and Antigenicity of HIV, Hepatitis and Emerging Viruses (MAVIVHe)

The research unit studies the intracellular traffic and the morphogenesis of the HIV and the different hepatitis viruses (HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV) and some emerging viruses (SARSCoV-2, DENV, ZIKV, CHIKV). We also explore the impact of the genomic variability of these viruses on infection outcomes such as pathogenesis, escape from immune response, and antiviral treatment resistance. Finally, the unit develops new original vaccine strategies and broad-spectrum antivirals.

Research topics:

•    Human immunodeficiency virus: innate immunity and restriction factors, viral diversity and immune escape, transmission dynamics; 
•    Hepatitis viruses: infectious cycle, morphogenesis, pathogenesis, vaccines, sera neutralization;
•    Emerging viruses: development of broad-spectrum antivirals, humoral and cellular immunity.

Equipment and technology:

•    Culture of various viruses in a BSL-3 containment laboratory 
•    Techniques of viral neutralization 
•    Electron Microscopy of virus morphology thank to the IBiSA platform of the University
•    Production of lentiviral vectors
•    Virus culture in hypoxic conditions