Projets
VIRIMI Research Program
The VIRIMI team investigates how RNA viruses reprogram host cell metabolism and how these alterations can be exploited to develop innovative, broad-spectrum antiviral therapies. By integrating virology, innate immunity, and metabolic biology, our research contributes to the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies against infectious diseases and strengthens preparedness for emerging viral threats.
A core objective of the team is to generate fundamental insights into the metabolic mechanisms hijacked by viruses, their contribution to disease pathogenesis, and the identification of host metabolic pathways essential for viral replication. This knowledge not only advances our understanding of virus-host interactions but also provides a rational framework for the design of host-targeted antiviral interventions.
Our research focuses on two organs critically involved in severe viral disease outcomes:
- The liver, targeted by hepatitis B, C, and D viruses, as well as arboviruses such as Yellow Fever virus, Dengue virus, and Rift Valley Fever virus.
- The lung, a primary site of infection for airborne viruses including Influenza A virus (IAV), Measles virus (MeV), and Nipah virus.
In close collaboration with CIRI teams (including Nitrovire and HepVir) and external partners (CEPR Tours, IVPC Lyon), we develop metabolically relevant infection models, esp. using hamster, mouse, and human organotypic cultures. These ex vivo models allow us to study liver and lung infections and to evaluate antiviral strategies in physiologically relevant settings.
Our antiviral approaches target key metabolic pathways, including NAD metabolism, one-carbon metabolism, the mevalonate pathway and HIF signaling, with the goal of achieving broad antiviral efficacy. We employ an integrated methodological pipeline combining multi-omics analyses with genetic and pharmacological tools, spanning in vitro cell systems, ex vivo organotypic cultures, and in vivo preclinical models. This strategy enables us to define virus-specific metabolic dependencies, identify affected stages of the viral life cycle, and elucidate how metabolic perturbations influence innate immunity, inflammation, and cell survival.
The team works with pathogens requiring BSL-2 and BSL-3 containment, including surrogate models for BSL-4 viruses (e.g. measles virus as a model for Nipah virus). Lead compounds identified in our laboratory are further evaluated against BSL-4 pathogens through collaborations with the CIRI and Jean Mérieux BSL-4 laboratory.
VIRIMI is strongly committed to research valorization and translational impact, with active contributions to startup creation (ENYO PHARMA, HORMAE PHARMA). Our work is supported by competitive funding grants from ANRS-MIE, ANR, FRM, Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, CLARA, CATRIEM, the Agence de l’Innovation de Défense (AID), Pulsalys, INSERM-Transfert, and the European Defence Fund. Our team is also supported by the Fondation CNRS. The team is also actively involved in the Institut d’Hépatologie de Lyon (IHU EVEREST) and the GDR ResaFlu network.
« Le projet Farneb visant à développer de nouveaux inhibiteurs du virus d’Epstein Barr a étésoutenu par le CLARA (Cancéropôle Lyon Auvergne Rhône-Alpes; https://www.canceropole-clara.com/) et financé par la Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (https//www auvergnerhonealpesfr/) »