[Call for Applications] Design and production, in yeast, of Bluetongue virus capsid particles as an alternative to the live attenuated virus-based vaccine

Project Title: Design and Production, in Yeast, of Bluetongue Virus Capsid Particles as an Alternative to the Live Attenuated Virus Vaccine

The project will be carried out at the Université Euromed de Fès (UEMF)
Euromed Faculty of Pharmacy and Biomedtech School of Engineering
Project Lead: Prof. Ismaïl Moukadiri

Project Description: Bluetongue is a viral disease of domestic and wild ruminants, transmitted by small biting insects belonging to certain species of the Culicoides genus. The causative agent is a virus from the Reoviridae family, of the Orbivirus genus. To date, more than 27 distinct serotypes have been identified worldwide. The disease causes, primarily in sheep, thrombo-hemorrhagic fevers. The virus and its serology are well known, and vaccination can prevent the disease. However, current vaccines are not without problems and limitations. Modified Live Vaccines (MLV) are very effective but can cause severe infection in a percentage of vaccinated sheep. Furthermore, the attenuated strain can adapt to Culicoides species present in an endemic region, and finally, the possibility of reassortment and inter-exchange of some of the 10 RNA segments constituting the BTV genome with natural strains cannot be ruled out. On the other hand, inactivated vaccines are costly to produce and require at least two doses with a high concentration of antigens. Consequently, there are broad opportunities to develop recombinant vaccines, capable of combining several serotypes and with lower production costs.

In this context, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been used to produce recombinant antigens that have been successfully applied as vaccines in humans, as is the case with the hepatitis B virus surface antigen. The Pir4 expression system of yeast, which we have developed, has been used successfully to express antigens and enzymes in S. cerevisiae. Based on this experience, we propose here to:

1. Produce structural viral particles from the Bluetongue virus disseminated in the Mediterranean basin. These antigens will be expressed either as purified proteins or targeted to the surface of yeast cells.
2. Evaluate the immunogenicity of the generated antigens and determine their safety and efficacy.
3. Produce Bluetongue vaccines on a pilot scale.

Candidate Profile: Eligible candidates must hold a master's degree in the field of biotechnology, molecular biology, or equivalent.

Application File: Curriculum vitae, cover letter, final year project, diplomas and transcripts, other documents deemed relevant.

Working Conditions: The candidate will conduct full-time research at the Université Euromed de Fès.

Contract Duration: 3 years
Net Scholarship Amount: 5600.00 MAD /month
Start Date: Immediate

Application file to be sent to i.moukadiri@ueuromed.org before January 25, 2023