About
With viral disease emergence expected to accelerate, preparing for possible future pandemics is paramount. Beyond saving lives during outbreaks, robust pandemic preparedness safeguards economies, sustains societal functioning, and reinforces the resilience of global systems. Since any viral infection begins with the attachment of the virus to host cells and subsequent activation of cellular receptors, it is essential to identify the cellular factors and mechanisms involved.
Therefore, COMBINE acknowledges that understanding how viruses infiltrate host cells is crucial for combating emerging infectious diseases. The project sets out to advance our understanding of how viruses enter cells, using the Marburg virus (MARV) as a model, and to create a blueprint for identifying new targets for antiviral strategies. The research conducted in the scope of the project will, thus, not only expand the knowledge of the Marburg virus cell entry and therapeutic options but also establish a technology pipeline that can be rapidly applied to other emerging viruses, strengthening global health security and readiness for future pandemics.
Vision
COMBINE strives to strengthen pandemic preparedness, protect lives, support economic stability, preserve societal functions, and enhance the resilience of global systems.
Mission
COMBINE aims to advance our understanding of virus host-cell interaction and cellular uptake mechanisms, using Marburg virus as a model, and develop an innovative experimental pipeline for identifying and targeting proteins involved in the virus attachment process, facilitating cross-country collaborations to develop novel drugs and vaccines against emerging viruses.
"We will apply a combination of pioneering approaches designed to identify the signature of virus-cell activation, characterise the mechanisms of virus binding and entry, and develop novel inhibitors and vaccine candidates. Using the Marburg virus as a highly-pathogenic BSL-4 model virus, this novel approach provides a comprehensive view of the virus entry process, differentiating between initial attachment and subsequent cellular activation and internalisation."