The Fun-HERE project, funded with 1.5 million euros, will span five years and focus on a little-known part of the human genome: human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs). These are remnants of ancient viruses integrated into our DNA millions of years ago.
The research aims to determine if some of the proteins from these retroviruses, long considered mere genetic vestiges, have been repurposed by our bodies for relevant biological functions, as is known to occur in placenta formation.
The project will study around a hundred HERV envelope proteins to decipher their participation in current biological processes and whether they retain antiviral activity, potentially opening new avenues for antiviral strategies.
Furthermore, it will examine the potential link between these proteins and diseases such as cancer, autoimmune, infectious, and neurological conditions, seeking connections that could lead to new biomedical research lines and identify therapeutic antibodies.
Thanks to this European grant, Dufloo will assemble a team of five researchers at I2SysBio over the next five years. His research focuses on virus-human cell interactions, with over 30 published articles.
The award of this Starting Grant enhances I2SysBio's international standing in virology and evolutionary biology, bridging fundamental questions about the human genome with potential applications in health and therapies.
