Emerging and re-emerging viral zoonoses pose a particular threat to both, animals and human. The frequency of emergence of new and re-emergence of known viruses is constantly increasing due to higher animal densities in farming, growing areas with high density of human population, globalization with increased travelling and trading activities, and last but not least climate changes resulting in expansion or change of arthropod vector distribution. With a focus on flaviviruses, we are investigating the interaction of viruses with the innate immune system to identify factors favoring transmission within and between species.
We also have a longstanding research interest in epizootic animal diseases. Current research projects focus on African swine fever and Peste des petits ruminants.
Funding:
- SNF: Impact of direct transmission on host adaptation of Japanese encephalitis virus. (SNF Grant number 192498)
- ERAnet/ICRAD. African swine fever pathogenesis and immune responses in resistant and susceptible hosts. (ICRAD)
- EU H2020: VetBioNet: Veterinary Biocontained facility Network for excellence in animal infectious disease research and experimentation: Study of virulence of Peste des petits ruminants virus in relation to variability of host response. (VetBioNet)
- Innosuisse: AirViMo - Airborne virus monitoring (Innosuisse)
