PhD offer on antivirals against Dengue virus

[ The PhD offer is now closed ]

The lab is seeking a candidate for a PhD with the objective of using plant biodiversity of Reunion Island to identify anti-infective agents against the dengue virus. Ultimately, these infectious agents would be used in phytotherapy but could also be used to inhibit the replication of the dengue virus in mosquitoes and thus limit virus transmission. Indeed, some studies show that chemical compounds present in plants, used as nutrient sources by mosquitoes, can affect the infection intensity of these mosquitoes by pathogens.

The project includes selecting plants based on traditional use criteria within the framework of the TrétZerbaj project (winner of the Overseas Innovation Program), screening 400 plant extracts against the four serotypes of the virus, identifying specialized metabolites through advanced fractionation and metabolic profiling techniques, developing standardized extracts, and evaluating the impact of the extracts on dengue transmission by Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Besides the phytotherapy approach, we will also evaluate the possibility of using active extracts as tools to control virus transmission in Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. This project aims to significantly contribute to the fight against dengue and valorize the biodiversity of Reunion Island.

To learn all about the subject and apply, click here 