Athene Grant

Dengue viruses/Athene Grant

01/01/2024 to 31/12/2025

“Dengue is a vector-borne disease that shows symptoms ranging from subclinical infection to life-threatening conditions. Due to an expanded geographical distribution of the vector, about half of the world's population is now at risk of infection. Currently, there is neither an antiviral therapy nor a widely available standard vaccination. In addition, four DENV subtypes exist. In the worst case, antibodies (Abs) against one DENV subtype can increase infection with another type leading to DENV shock syndrome.
The project on which I´m currently working focuses on the development of so-called nanobodies (Nbs) as a therapeutic option. Like Abs, they can bind to virus particles and prevent the virus from infecting healthy cells. They are small, easy to produce biotechnologically, and there is no risk of Ab-dependent enhancement of infection. Therefore, the goal of the project is to develop Nbs to neutralize all four DENV subtypes. These Nbs will then lead to a prototype for pharmacological studies to improve efficacy and specificity, to further develop them as novel biologicals.”