Viruses and Epitranscriptomics: seeking novel targets for antiviral therapy

The Universidade de Aveiro (UAVR) is widely recognized as one of the most innovative universities in Portugal. Its research activities are carried out by 20 research units (RU) covering diverse scientific areas.

The Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED-UAVR), one of UAVR’s most recent RU, is ranked among the top 5 research institutions in the biomedical field in Portugal.

However, progress is mainly affected by low national funding availability and access to cutting-edge resources and infrastructures.

This Twinning proposal (EpiViral) was set on the strategic vision of iBiMED-UAVR to boost the scientific excellence of its young researchers in the fields of virology and epitranscriptomics, which are underrepresented at the national level.

To achieve this, EpiViral’s strategy relies in 5 main pillars: 1) Boost research excellence of iBiMED-UAVR in the fields of virology and epitranscriptomics, by implementing joint research projects; 2) Stimulate the innovation capacity of iBiMED-UAVR and contribute to new joint teams of highly-skilled researchers; 3) Promote and enhance networking and international awareness of iBiMED-UAVR research and achieve broad societal impact for virology and epitranscriptomics research; 4) Promote the establishment of links with industry based on the experience and best practices of the two leading partners; and 5) Create an advanced and sustainable virology and epitranscriptomics research network for further cooperation.

We believe EpiViral Twinning project will allow iBiMED-UAVR researchers to thrive in the cutting-edge field of epitranscriptome modulation in the context of viral infections, by potentiating a network which has the ideal expertise and know-how to achieve its objectives.

EpiViral will thus assertively project iBiMED-UAVR as a European research organisation of excellence in the virology field.