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 to each other. However, the viruses from these two genera are very different. Nonetheless, we have devised a way to generate new protein-protein interactions in the nucleocapsid that allow for the assembly of virions containing all the structural proteins and the lipid membrane but no nucleic acid. The goal is to use these virus-like-particles (VLPs) to generate a protective and long-term immune response against different arboviruses. In the near future, we will want to determine if conjugating the VLPs to nanomaterials can help to produce a stronger immune response.

 

The current COVID-19 pandemic has changed our world and normality has returned to the production of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. Our group is developing different CHIKV-derived VLPs that contain either the S protein from SARS-CoV-2 or only its Receptor Binding Domain, as well as a subunit vaccine. Also, we are designing non-infectious SARS-CoV-2 VLPs that can be produced both in mammalian and plant cells.

 

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

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The COVID-19 vaccine project is supported by grants from CONACYT (2020/2021 and 2021/2022).