Molecular & Cellular Mechanisms of Rift Valley Fever Virus Pathogenesis

Molecular & Cellular Mechanisms of Rift Valley Fever Virus Pathogenesis

Advisor/s

A/Prof Paul Horwood, Dr Siying Ye (CSIRO), Dr Kim Halpin (CSIRO)

College or Research Centre

College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Science

Summary of Project

Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV) is a highly pathogenic zoonotic arthropod-borne phlebovirus that causes Rift Valley fever, a severe disease for which no approved vaccine currently exists for human use. In Australia, RVFV is categorized as a Security Sensitive Biological Agent by the federal government. RVFV may cause haemorrhagic or encephalitic pathology in a given host. In humans, clinical signs of RVF range from a mild form of febrile illness to a severe form characterized by retinopathy, meningoencephalitis, or hemorrhagic fever; however, the disease is primarily one of sheep, goats, and cattle with high rates of mortality and abortion. The mechanisms underlying RVFV-induced pathogenic effects in different hosts remain for the most part unknown. We wish to understand the cellular and molecular determinates of these differential pathological processes.

Key Words

Rift Valley Fever Virus; zoonotic; pathogenesis; host-pathogen interaction

Would suit an applicant who

Has knowledge of virology and experience with histology, tissue culture, molecular biology techniques, and is familiar with statistical analyses.

Updated: 10 Aug 2021