Research
Scope of Scientific Projects
01
Epidemiology
- Determine routes of transmission of FCoV-23
- Determine if FCoV-23 is a direct horizontally-transmitted virus
- Perform surveillance within and beyond Cyprus
- Determine risk factors for transmission
02
Virology
- Assess virus evolution in individual animals and populations
- Determine virus stability in the environment
- Determine host and target cell range
- Create a molecular clone of FCoV-23
03
Diagnosis
- Develop molecular (PCR) and serological tests that distinguish feline coronavirus strains
04
Treatment
- Establish standard of care for FCoV-23 anti-viral therapy
- Determine treatment outcomes for different forms of FIP caused by FCoV-23
05
Prevention
- Evaluate immunogenicity of oral and parenteral vaccine platforms
- Identify immunogens with potential for protection across feline coronavirus
strains
06
Pathogenesis
- Determine presence of neutralizing antibody and impact on FCoV-23 pathogenesis
FCoV-23 spike protein
Cryo-electron microscopy reconstruction of the FCoV-23 spike protein in ‘long’ form. Pink is the fusion domain (S2), blue is the receptor binding domain (S1, sub-domains A-D). In gray is S1 sub-domain 0, which is missing in the ‘short’ version of spike that is predominant in the Cyprus outbreak. Image courtesy of David Veesler, University of Washington