Workpackage 1

Host-pathogen interactions

Workpackage 1 (WP1) addresses the issue of pathogen-host interactions and virulence determinants at the molecular level. Little is know about the host-response following infection with viruses that differ in virulence and gene constellation. The contribution of specific viral genes - or gene sequences - to pathogenesis, host- and tissue-tropism as well as their role in interference with host defence mechanisms will be examined in vivo in different species in animal experiments as well as in vitro using professional antigen presenting cells such as dendritic cells and macrophages. State-of-the-art technology such as gene-expression profiling using DNA micro-arrays and identification of differentially expressed genes using gene libraries obtained by suppression subtractive hybridization, will be used to identify specific host genes which are involved in the reaction to infection by specific avian influenza virus genotypes. The involvement and importance of viral genes as well as host genes will be evaluated by cross-validation and in vitro experiments.

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