Research Goals – VirusREvolution

Overarching research goal of the CRC VirusREvolution

The bold vision of the CRC VirusREvolution is to enable the rapid risk assessment of newly emerging viruses by integrating next-generation bioinformatics and photonic approaches. Our central goal is to establish the CRC platform capable of systematically characterising novel viruses, elucidate their tropism, and providing first estimations of pathogenic potential. This capability will support faster decisions-making and early action before emerging viruses become a threat. To realise this vision, the ambitious aim of the CRC VirusREvolution is to develop bioinformatic and photonic tools for virus research by synergising cutting-edge expertise, see Fig. 4. A central focus is the systematic characterisation of viruses, combining genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, structural, morphological, and phenotypic information to derive early insights into virus behaviour.

The primary objective of VirusREvolution is to pioneer the creation of specialized bioinformatic and photonic tools dedicated to viruses. More specifically we have four different goals:

G1 Tools for the description of novel emerging viruses.

It is of utmost importance to detect and characterise fast and efficiently novel emerging viruses. Within VirusREvolution we will develop tools for virus identification, annotation, alignments and general characterisation on the level of genome and morphology.

Projects contributing to this goal: A01, A02, A04, B02, C01, C03, C04

G2 Tools for precise research on virus evolution.

We will develop tools for phylogeny of viruses on two different levels: we will improve the overall virus long-term phylogeny by precise annotation of viruses (macroevolution) and we will describe the quasispecies and short-term surveillance of a virus (microevolution).

Projects contributing to this goal: A01, A02, A04, B01, B02, B04

G3 Tools for the generalisation of virus-host interactions.

We will analyse the transcriptome, metabolome, proteome and their correlation. Therefore, we will strengthen the first insights into the virus-induced host degradosome and the functionality of enzymes. Additionally, we aim to understand natural intracellular and epicellular anti-viral strategies and leverage the knowledge to design improved antiviral reagents.

Projects contributing to this goal: A02, A03, A04, B01, B02, B03, B04, C02, C04

G4 Tools for the prediction of virus infection potential.

Using a broad range of optimised and tailored complementary tools, we aim to disclose and further understand virus characteristics, such as virus-cell entry and uncoating mechanisms, to predict pathogenicity and tropism and to use selected features for virus sorting.

Projects contributing to this goal: A03, B01, B02, B03, C01, C02, C03, C04