Monoclonal antibodies and intestinal organoids for human norovirus prevention studies

The purpose of the project is to identify effective tools for prevention of human norovirus infections.

To fulfill the purpose I will focus on two aims: isolation and characterization of broad anti-norovirus antibodies and development of intestinal organoids that enable norovirus infection and propagation.The research will be carried out at the University of Gothenburg, department of Microbiology and Immunology, where the research time will be divided between 4-years.

The 1st year will focus on acquiring what is needed to establish a research lab (e.g. staff, ethical approvals, equipment, samples).

The following 2-years will be exploited for planning, executing and evaluating of experiments, with the final year dedicated for data formatting, analysis, interpretation and reporting of research results.To identify monoclonal antibody candidates for norovirus prevention we will perform single B cell sorting based on their broad binding to norovirus antigens.

Functional and structural definition as well as immunogenetic analyses of these antibodies will invite for design of optimized immunogens eliciting broad immunity.

In addition, data acquired from intestinal organoids through RNAseq, microscopy and susceptibility to norovirus will contribute to advancement of warranted robust norovirus propagation in vitro.While the specific objectives for each aim differ, in all cases the final goal is to improve human health either through a vaccine or a therapeutic intervention.