The aim of the project is to combine field-based sequence data of hantaviruses circulating in rodent reservoirs with experimental studies of their infection and pathogenicity potential in animal and human cells. We propose a multidisciplinary approach to integrate virus-cell interaction and infection efficiency with proteomic analysis to identify cellular receptors and activated immune signaling cascades. The synergistic contribution of experts in virology, ecology, cell biology, and proteomics will provide the first mechanistic understanding of the zoonotic potential of hantaviruses.

Involved INNT scientists:

Prof. Dr. Rainer G. Ulrich

Dr. Kathrin Jeske (PostDoc)