Viral Protease-assisted Combined Antiviral Therapy

**Viral Protease-assisted Combined Antiviral Therapy with photoactive “Lock and Release” supramolecular-antiviral-dots**:

- Réf
- **ABG-112353**
- Sujet de Thèse- 21/03/2023- Contrat doctoral- Laboratoire Lorrain de Chimie Moléculaire- Lieu de travail- Nancy - Grand Est - France- Intitulé du sujet- Viral Protease-assisted Combined Antiviral Therapy with photoactive “Lock and Release” supramolecular-antiviral-dots- Champs scientifiques- Chimie
- Mots clés- antiviral molecules; coronavirus; virology; medicinal chemistry; chemical biology**Description du sujet**:
Human coronaviruses (HCoV) are enveloped RNA viruses associated with mild to severe respiratory infections in humans, such as colds and pneumonia. To date, there are no specific approved treatments for these HCoV infections. Thus, the development of anti-HCoV agents therefore remains a public health emergency. The objective of the VIPRO-COMBAT project is to synthesize photoactive supramolecular antiviral dots (SAD) assemblies, unique as an "intelligent" prodrug delivery system, allowing site-specific activation by the viral protease, thanks to attaching a peptide sequence to a virus inhibitor, such as an antimicrobial peptide. A “Lock and Release” system will ensure the controlled activation of the prodrugs, which are then activated by near-infrared light radiation at the level of the infected tissues. This will guarantee a functional and controlled multimodal antiviral approach, combining the advantages of optical and acoustic imaging based on the study of vibrations induced in matter by light. Another objective of the study will be to elucidate the interaction of SAD with the target cell by transcriptomic analysis, but also the impact of the treatment on the immune response and on the phenomena of inflammation. The project is therefore a proof of concept for the use of anti-infective prodrugs activated by a viral protease, associated with a fluorescence bio-imaging system and phototherapy.

**Nature du financement**:

- Contrat doctoral**Précisions sur le financement**:
**Présentation établissement et labo d'accueil**:

- Laboratoire Lorrain de Chimie MoléculaireThe main laboratory for the PhD will be L2CM. The PhD student will evolve in an environment composed of closely collaborating partner labs, such as CRAN (UL), RCSI (Dublin, Ireland) and LRGP (UL), with an international team composed of chemists, physicians, biologists, medical staff and pharmacists.

The PhD project will be co-directed by Dr. Florence Dumarçay (Chemistry) and by Dr. Mihayl Varbanov (Virology) at the _Laboratoire Lorrain de Chimie Moleculaire_ (L2CM), in Nancy, France.

Fluency in English is highly recommended, basics in French will be an advantage.