Collaborative Surveillance and Characterization of HPAI in Antarctic Wildlife

• Grant number: 25/13726-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Molecular Biology
• Principal Investigator: Jose Luiz Catao Dias
• Grantee: Caroline Freitas Pessi
• Supervisor: Antonio Alcami
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Spain
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/16329-6 - Molecular and pathological investigation of Avian Influenza in cetaceans stranded on the Brazilian coast., BP.MS

Abstract

The detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Antarctica has raised significant concern due to its potential ecological impact on highly vulnerable seabird and marine mammal populations, many of which are long-lived, endangered, and form dense breeding colonies. The introduction of HPAI into this previously unaffected ecosystem highlights the urgent need for reliable scientific data to guide surveillance and conservation strategies. This project proposes to contribute to the analysis of biological samples collected during the CSIC-UNESPA Antarctic Expedition, which involved approximately 1.100 live and deceased animals from various avian and mammalian species. A two-month research internship at the Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBM/CSIC) is proposed, focused on RNA extraction, real-time RT-PCR targeting Influenza A and the H5 subtype and sequencing of the hemagglutinin cleavage site for pathogenicity assessment. The expected outcome is the processing of at least 200 samples, with priority given to feather samples and swabs from organs other than brain and lung. The data generated will provide valuable insight into the circulation and characteristics of HPAI in Antarctic wildlife and contribute meaningfully to ongoing surveillance efforts. Furthermore, the experience will strengthen the applicant's ability to interpret and discuss results within her master's research in Brazil, while promoting scientific exchange between collaborating institutions.