Members of the Orthomyxoviridae family are enveloped viruses with a segmented single-stranded reverse RNA genome. RNA virus detection methods have drawbacks: they cannot determine whether viruses infect the host or a microbial host in the intestine, or recognize the tissue tropism of viruses. Transcriptome analysis of single mosquito cells can address these challenges and do so with as little as a single positive sample. The aim of this project is to sequence the transcriptome of single cells of Culex mosquitoes, to identify new RNA viruses, their hosts and tissue tropism. By correlating the mosquito transcriptome data with the presence of viruses, virus receptors will be hypothesized and orthomyxovirus phylogenomic analysis will be performed. With the transcriptomes of single cells, we will be able to make "tissue maps" of mosquitoes and determine which ones are infected and with which viruses. Newly discovered RNA viruses will be reviewed and described: host, genome structure, reading frames, virus group, tissue distribution. In addition, using the pseudovirus platform, the ability of new viral surface proteins to initiate infection of target cells will be characterized.
Mokslinis vadovas / Supervisor: Dr. Milda Norkienė
Kontaktai / Contacts:
tel. / phone: +37067434539
Programme: Biochemistry N 004.