Arboviruses are a group of viruses that are not phylogenetically related but are transmitted by arthropods. Among these viruses, there are two major groups: Alphaviruses and Flaviviruses. Some of the symptoms caused by these viruses can be common or similar. However, the viruses from these two genera are very different. Nonetheless, we have devised a way to generate new protein-protein interactions within the nucleocapsid that allow the assembly of virions containing all the structural proteins and the lipid membrane, but no nucleic acid. The goal is to develop rationally designed vaccines that provide a protective, long-lasting immune response against diverse arboviruses. 

     In particular, Arleth Miranda-Lopez, first an M.Sc. student and now a Ph.D. student, developed a subunit vaccine against ZIKV that induces neutralizing antibodies in mice. Now we have shown that the newborns of vaccinated mothers (mice) are protected against ZIKV, while the newborns from unvaccinated mothers die after a virus challenge.

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Structure prediction of our rpZDIII vaccine candidate.

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     Furthermore, we have used this method to generate several vaccine candidates against SARS-CoV-2 (see publications). The COVID-19 vaccine project is supported by grants from CONACYT (2020/2021 and 2021/2022). 

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    Finally, we are using this approach to generate a vaccine against CHIKV, and other vaccine candidates that soon will be disclosed.

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    The participants of these projects are Profs. Sergio Rosales-Mendoza and, Omar González-Ortega.​

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Updated: November 2025