Host-pathogen Interactions

We search to identify cellular components that are crucial for viral infection in endocytosis, autophagy and the ubiquitin-proteasome system between others. Our main model virus is a large DNA virus, African swine fever virus (ASFV). Our goal is to increase knowledge on the mechanisms to foster innate immunity and to find targets for new vaccination strategies. This research has raised the possibility to develop genetically resistant animals to viral diseases. It has been recently reported for gene-edited pigs resistant to a viral disease of swine (PRRS, Whitworth K.M. et al, 2015) and we develop similar strategies against other viral diseases.