Innovative cellular tools to study organ-specific virus-mosquito molecular interactions – NEOCELL

Among emerging pathogens, arboviruses are an important cause of animal and human diseases worldwide. Mosquito-borne viruses (MBVs) represent a large part of arboviruses and a significant source of zoonotic emerging infectious diseases. In vitro interactions studies between vertebrate hosts, viruses and their mosquito vectors are essential to tackle MBVs threats. Particularly, knowledge of intima mechanisms in key organs of mosquitoes, such as salivary glands and midgut, are essential. However, there is a lack of relevant mosquito cellular models available for in-vitro investigation.

In this context, we propose an exploratory project to develop new mosquito organotypic cell lines derived from specific organs of mosquitoes involved in MBVs transmission. Implementation of these tools will greatly strengthen in vitro investigations, including regarding replication mechanism of viruses, and in fine pave the way to the development of new anti-viral strategy as well as on the elaboration of new vaccines.

These new cell lines will be developed through a partnership recently implemented between University of Montpellier and Rakuno Gakuen University in Japan.

Département : DS5,