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

Project title: Design and production, in yeast, of capsid particles of the Bluetongue virus as an alternative to the live attenuated virus vaccine

The project will be carried out at the Euromed University of Fes (UEMF)
Euromed Faculty of Pharmacy and Biomedtech Engineering School
Project leader: Prof Ismaïl Moukadiri

Project description: La Fièvre Catarrhale Ovine is a viral disease of domestic and wild ruminants, transmitted by small biting insects belonging to certain species of the genus Culicoides. The causative agent is a virus of the family Reoviridae, of the genus Orbivirus. To date, more than 27 distinct serotypes have been identified worldwide. The disease causes, mainly in sheep, thrombo-haemorrhagic fevers. The virus and its serology are well known and vaccination can prevent the disease. However, current vaccines are not without problems and limitations. Live attenuated vaccines (MLV) are very effective but can cause severe infection in a percentage of vaccinated sheep. In addition, the attenuated strain can adapt to the Culicoides species present in an endemic region and, finally, the possibility of reassortment and exchange of some of the 10 RNA segments that make up the BTV genome with natural strains cannot be ruled out. Furthermore, inactivated vaccines are expensive to produce and require at least two high-antigen-concentration doses. As a result, there are broad opportunities to develop recombinant vaccines capable of combining multiple serotypes and with lower production costs. 
 

In this context, Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast 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 yeast expression system that we developed has been successfully used to express antigens and enzymes in S. cerevisiae. Based on this experience, we hereby propose to:

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

Profil du candidat : Eligible candidates must hold a master's degree in biotechnology, molecular biology or an equivalent field.

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

Conditions de travail : The candidate will conduct full-time research at the Euromed University of Fes

Durée du contrat : 3 ans 
Net scholarship amount: 5600,00 MAD /mois
Date d’incorporation : Immediate

Dossier à envoyer à i.moukadiri@ueuromed.org before 25 janvier 2023