Structural assays and search for antiviral agents against Oropouche virus

• Grant number: 24/12779-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Molecular Biophysics
• Principal Investigator: Glaucius Oliva
• Grantee: Mariana Ortiz de Godoy
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project aims to study Oropouche fever virus (OROV), an emerging arbovirus in Brazil and other tropical and subtropical regions. The general objectives of the project include obtaining purified RdRp proteins and glycoproteins from the Oropouche virus, searching for specific inhibitors for these proteins, and determining their three-dimensional structures using protein crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) techniques. Specific objectives involve cloning and expressing the L and M segments of OROV in Baculovirus/insect cell systems, purifying and characterizing the produced proteins, developing activity and inhibition assays, and screening compounds with pharmacological potential. The infrastructure at the Institute of Physics of São Carlos (IFSC/USP) and the expertise of the Crystallography Group will enable the efficient execution of the project, contributing to the development of new therapeutic alternatives and advancing scientific knowledge about the OROV.