www.ebolaoutbreakmap.com Two new Ebola grants support Ebola research exploring how Ebola spreads in the body with implication for targeted Ebola viral treatments
Fluorescent imaging shows tunneling nanotubes connecting human macrophages (blue) infected with Ebola virus (green). Cell nuclei are shown in red. Researchers at Texas Biomed will investigate the role tunneling nanotubes play in Ebola virus spread.
SAN ANTONIO (June 17, 2021) – Scientists have a general idea of how viruses invade and spread in the body, but the precise mechanisms are actually not well understood, especially when it comes to Ebola virus.
Olena Shtanko, Ph.D., a Staff Scientist at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed), has received more than $1 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to explore different aspects of Ebola virus infection. Understanding how cells become infected is critical to identifying and designing therapies that target viral replication and spread in a host.
“The general model of spread of Ebola virus infection where a viral particle infects a cell, replication begins, new virus particles are made and released into the body to infect neighboring cells is probably a bit too simplistic,” said Shtanko, who is part of the Texas Biomed Host-Pathogen Interactions Program. “How does the virus really get from the site of initial infection, penetrate dense tissues, evade the body’s defense system and end up in distant organs, such as the liver, just a few days later? We really don’t know.”
Over the next two years, Shtanko will explore precisely how the Ebola virus hijacks a key immune cell in the body called macrophages. Even though these large cells specialize in detecting and killing harmful invaders, Ebola and other filoviruses have found a way to enter and hide in the cells. The macrophages then help distribute the virus around the body, serving like Trojan horses, through an unknown mechanism. Shtanko will investigate how exactly virus infection transforms migration and invasive properties of macrophages to maximize its spread in the host.
Shtanko is also excited to explore a possible alternative mode of spread — tunneling nanotubes, dynamic connections between cells, which allow cells to communicate by exchanging content over relatively long distances (up to 200 microns). While these structures have been shown to play a prominent role in promoting neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and spread of a variety of viruses, including HIV-1 and influenza, no one is known to have investigated their role in disseminating Ebola and related viruses.
“It is critical to understand if Ebola virus is able to crawl from cell to cell without ever creating new virus particles that move freely in the body, because those free particles are the typical targets for the immune system and pharmaceutical interventions,” Shtanko said. “Ebola virus might be escaping early detection and perhaps eventually establishing persistent infection by using these nanotubes.”
Such basic research insights can help inform development of more effective anti-viral treatments or vaccines. The research projects will involve cells and tissues infected with Ebola virus – research that can only be safely conducted in the highest level biocontainment laboratories, called BSL4. Texas Biomed is uniquely positioned for this type of research, hosting both a BSL4 lab and the Southwest National Primate Research Center. While this initial research will be in vitro (or in a petri dish), the studies will eventually move to more advanced animal models.
Additionally, Dr. Shtanko is collaborating with several Texas Biomed investigators on these projects: Texas Biomed President/CEO Larry Schlesinger, M.D., a renowned expert on macrophages whose lab studies macrophages and their role in tuberculosis; Professor Andrew Hayhurst, Ph.D., who has engineered novel llama domain antibodies specific for Ebola virus; and Professor Ricardo Carrion, Jr., Ph.D., an expert on development of non-human primate models of Ebola virus disease.
This research is funded by two R21 grants #AI151717 and #AI154336 from Dr,. Fauci National Institutes of Health National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases.
Here we see the new NIH Ebola job postings …………..
Ebola Outbreak Response Scientist Now Hiring
NIH NIAID
high containment facility Fort Detrick, MD.
participate in deployment rotations to international and domestic sites.
Assist with Ebola disease survivor surveillance and research activities
Outbreak Response Scientist
Frederick, MD 21702
Employer actively reviewed job 27 days ago
Urgently hiring
Job details
Salary
$65,137 – $81,000 a year
Job Type
Full-time
Number of hires for this role
1
Qualifications
-
-
Bachelor’s (Preferred)
-
Research Experience: 3 years (Preferred)
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Full Job Description
Laulima Government Solutions, LLC is looking for a qualified Outbreak Response Scientist to provide leadership support services for the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Disease (NIAID) in a high containment facility in Fort Detrick, MD.
Description of Responsibilities:
- Support activities for laboratory preparedness and response to outbreaks of high consequence viral pathogens in field settings.
- Support research with refined animal models for biodefense agents and facilitate testing of human samples associated with naturally occurring outbreaks in the high containment environment.
- Potentially participate in deployment rotations to international and domestic sites.
- Assist with Ebola virus disease survivor surveillance and research activities in Africa.
- Comply with the NIH Division of Occupational Health and Safety requirement for satisfactory completion of the Biosurety program and Select Agent program.
- Play a role in ensuring that the Biosurety program promotes a security conscious culture.
- Comply with the physical security, protection of the division’s property, protection of information, cyber security, agent protection, control and accountability, safe disposal and waste handling, and personal security guidelines set forth by the division’s Biosurety program.
Degree/Education/Certification Requirements:
- Minimum of a full 4-year course of study from an accredited college or university leading to a Bachelor of Science or higher degree.
- Ability to work in BSL-4 setting
Required Skills and Experience:
- 3-5 years’ related experience
- Must have prior laboratory experience, including running various assays (immunologic, virologic, molecular)
- Clinical experience in biochemistry or hematology.
- Ability to obtain/maintain DoJ Security Risk Assessment (SRA) approval.
- Must be willing to be immunized with licensed and FDA approved Investigational New Drugs (IND) recommended for persons at risk to occupational exposure of biological agents
- Must be willing to participate in periodic drug screening.
- Must have the ability to obtain/maintain certification in Chemical Personnel Reliability Program and/or Biological Personnel Reliability Program.
- Must have the ability to obtain/maintain CDC Select Agent Program approval.
- Prior experience working in BSL-2 facilities, willingness to work BSL-3, and BSL-4 conditions. Able to wear respiratory protection.
- Must be willing to travel once called upon for a month at a time on average.
Desired Skills and Experience:
- Experience working effectively and respectfully with diverse groups in international settings.
- Familiarity with the conduct of clinical laboratory diagnostics, including molecular, immunologic, and virologic testing.
- Experience with viral Select Agents is highly desired.
- Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) experience is preferred.
- Proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Basic understanding of laboratory information management systems (LIMS).
- Demonstrate interpersonal, oral and written communication, and organizational skills.
- Demonstrate ability to work independently, design experiments, and analyze data.
- French language skills.
Clearance:
- Must be a US citizen or permanent resident.
- Must be able to meet the requirements for Tier 3 level investigation.
Laulima Government Solutions, LLC is a fast-growing government service provider. Employees enjoy competitive salaries; a 401K plan with company match; medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage; tuition reimbursement; paid time off; and 10 paid holidays. Laulima Government Solutions, LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $65,137.00 – $81,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
Education:
- Bachelor’s (Preferred)
Experience:
- Research Experience: 3 years (Preferred)
Willingness To Travel:
- 25% (Preferred)
Work Location:
- One location
Company’s website:
- www.alakainafoundation.com
COVID-19 Precaution(s):
- Remote interview process
