Inter-organelle crosstalk in viral infections: identifying peroxisome-related targets for novel broad-spectrum antiviral strategies

Viral infections pose a major threat to global health, with the potential for pandemic outbreaks causing profound medical and socio-economic impacts. The frequent ocViral infections represent the main epidemic and pandemic threat of the modern era, causing massive economic and societal impact. The high mutation rates of most viruses and the virus-specific activity of the currently available antivirals, frequently result in the emergence of highly resistant virus variants. This adaptability can lead to global outbreaks, as seen with the COVID-19 pandemic. An urgent paradigm shift in antiviral research is needed to discover antiviral therapies that target the host, and not the virus, being effective against different viruses. Host cell organelles, especially peroxisomes, are the perfect target for such innovative strategies, as they have been shown to play important roles in both the viral infection and the host cell immune response. However, innovative breakthroughs in this field are compromised by the lack of experts with simultaneous knowledge on virology and peroxisome/organelle biology. The VirION (Viruses' Interplay with the Organelle Network) network aims to fill this gap by training 15 Doctoral Candidates (DCs) with integrated expertise in virology, peroxisome/organelle biology, and systems biology. These candidates will also develop an entrepreneurial-oriented mindset, uniquely equipping them to identify organelle-related druggable targets and leads, as well as to create tools and models that will advance the development of host-directed broad-spectrum antiviral strategies. Academic (universities, medical research centres, and research institutes) and industrial partners will work synergistically to equip DCs with state-of-the-art research competencies, not only in a breakthrough scientific field but also in interpersonal skills and best practices, enhancing their employability as future leaders and strengthening Europe's capacity to address viral infections.