Recognition of genomic patterns associated with virus-host specificity for Mayaro virus

• Grant number: 24/15860-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Biology and Physiology of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Marielton dos Passos Cunha
• Grantee: Davi Prado Menabó
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Emerging and/or re-emerging arboviruses represent a growing threat to global Public Health, including Brazil, which in turn has this problem aggravated due to its tropical climate conducive to the proliferation of these vectors. To anticipate outbreaks and epidemics caused by these viruses, it is essential to understand their genomic patterns that determine virus-host specificity. This project aims to investigate biological aspects linked to virus-host specificity for Mayaro virus (MAYV) circulating until now in an endemic manner in the Amazon region, which encompasses states in the North and Central-West regions of Brazil and neighboring countries. The material to be investigated will come from genomic sequences available in public databases, such as GenBank, and we will use this data, characterizing the use of nucleotides, dinucleotides, codons, in addition to calculating the codon adaptation index comparing with the genomes of putative hosts and vectors. The methods to be employed involve computational tools for genomic data analysis, integration, and data mining. The expected results will enable a detailed understanding of the genomic patterns linked to adaptation to vertebrate hosts and vectors, providing insights for more effective surveillance and control strategies. This will allow the advancement of knowledge about the ecology, evolution and epidemiology of MAYV, which have the potential for emergence and spread to other locations in Brazil and the world as a consequence of the potential adaptation to the urban vectors.