Project 3 is led by Dr. Yoshi Kawaoka at the University of Wisconsin and is focused on finding new inhibitors of filoviruses, a highly pathogenic virus family endemic to Central Africa that includes Ebola virus (EBOV), Sudan Ebola virus (SUDV), Bundibugyo, and Marburg virus (MARV). With larger and more urban outbreaks, there is a critical need for antivirals that are broadly active against multiple filoviruses to protect against both existing and future disease threats.
Project 3 focuses on the filovirus L protein, which has three functional domains: the RNA-dependent-RNA-polymerase (RdRp), capping, and the methyltransferase (MTase) domains. These are each essential in the viral life cycle, making the L protein a promising target for antiviral drug development.
Team
