Vectorization of hydrophobic viral antigens via the lipid droplet

Coordination : Marine Froissard and Hector Adiel Flores Nestor

The recent COVID 19 pandemic crisis highlighted our vulnerability in front of emerging viruses. The society is also faced with animal virus epidemics that impact the economic world and present a risk of zoonoses. In this context, the need for effective, fast‐to‐implement, low‐cost therapeutic responses, is strong. Most of all strategies for developing vaccines rely on targeting soluble antigens. Among new potential valuable antigens, some of them are highly hydrophobic and thus, are difficult to produce in heterologous systems.

This technological project relies on the development of lipidic nanocarriers mimicking viral particles, to facilitate effective delivery and enhance hydrophobic antigen uptake and presentation. Our objective is to validate the technology (proof of concept TRL3 to TRL4) with a focus on antigens from viral zoonoses that affect farm animals.