Impact of Endogenous DsRNA accumulation on Antiviral innate Immunity – EndoDRAI

Foreign double stranded (ds)RNA sensing by cellular factors is a conserved mechanism in antiviral innate immunity. Recognition of self dsRNA structures can also trigger the innate immune system under certain conditions such as autoimmune diseases in humans. Whether endogenous dsRNA sensing plays a role during viral infection as well as in cellular homeostasis remains to be fully explored. The overall goal of the EndoDRAI project is to explore the accumulation of endogenous dsRNAs upon viral infection, analyse their immunogenicity and understand whether their sensing contributes to or interferes with the innate immune response to viruses. By integrating my expertise in molecular virology, RNA biology and antiviral innate immunity with those of my research team, I am well positioned to successfully develop this research line and explore novel aspects of RNA regulation in innate immunity to viral infection in human cells.