We investigate the ability of viruses to spread as groups (collective infectious units) and how this promotes the evolution of social interactions among viruses. For this, we use model viruses (vesicular stomatitis) as well as human (enteroviruses) and insect (baculoviruses) pathogens. Infecting hosts as groups may allow viruses to better counteract antiviral responses and may promote cooperation among different viral genetic variants, but may also favor the evolution of cheater viruses.
Acronym
Vis-à-Vis
Description
Research Group: Virus Experimental Evolution
We investigate the ability of viruses to spread as groups (collective infectious units) and how this promotes the evolution of social interactions among viruses. For this, we use model viruses (vesicular stomatitis) as well as human (enteroviruses) and insect (baculoviruses) pathogens. Infecting hosts as groups may allow viruses to better counteract antiviral responses and may promote cooperation among different viral genetic variants, but may also favor the evolution of cheater viruses.
Non-UV principal researchers
Rafael Sanjuán
Start date
2017
May
End date
2022
April
Funding agencies:
European Research Council
Project type
- EU - PROOF OF CONCEPT of the ERC (European Research Council)
