Effect of viral and host factors on innate immunity, respiratory virus replication and pathogenesis

Influenza viruses and coronaviruses are respiratory pathogens with drastic health and economic consequences for many animal species, including humans. Seasonal Influenza viruses produce severe infections in 3-5 million people and around 500.000 deaths annually. In addition, sporadically these viruses produce pandemics of unpredictable consequences. On the other hand, coronaviruses produce 10 to 30% of common colds in humans and more severe infections, such as the pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We are interested in analyzing virus host-interactions, particularly the innate immune responses induced after respiratory virus infections, since these host responses affect viral replication and pathogenesis. Our final goal is to use the knowledge generated in our research to develop new antivirals to fight these and other viral infections, and to analyze viral and host genetic factors affecting the severity of respiratory virus infections