Alberto Amarilla Ortiz

Our research program focuses on understanding the precise mechanism behind neurotropic viruses in inducing brain inflammation and the long-term consequences post-exposure, as well as deciphering the viral components that induce neurodegeneration. The program comprises revolutionary molecular biology approaches involving the innovative use of protein design (PMID 33841880; PMID 34750396; PMID: 34714668), monoclonal antibody discovery and characterisation (PMID 33558635, PMID 33414219), and the use of a reverse genetic system to determine the precise structure, functions, and effects of key viral proteins that promote neuronal dysfunction in the CNS, along with relevant application in medicine.

Our research program includes several major contributions:

1- Generated solid evidence in how the spike protein from SARS-CoV-2 may trigger microglia cells activation as well as, provide a possible mechanism in how pre-exposed microglia cells to viral protein could enhance the cells activation in the presence of aggregated pathogenic proteins such as α-Synuclein fibrils (PMID 36316366).

2- Established several murine models for neurotropic viruses, which are essential to study the long-term consequences of virus-induced encephalitis (PMID 33414219, PMID: 30715407, PMID 29897990).

3- Developed a reverse genetic system for several positive sense RNA viruses from five different viral families (Faviviridae, Togaviridae, Caliciviridae, Mesoniviridae and Coronaviridae), enabling the discovery of viral determinants involved in pathogenicity (PMID 30886357, PMID 34103499, PMID 28317911).

4- Created a rapid, sensitive, ultra-high-throughput and reliable viral detection and quantification methodology, which has significantly contributed to accelerated research outcomes (PMID 33643253).

For the past 5 years, our research interests have significantly contributed to fundamental knowledges, which are essential to study the impact of viral encephalitis as a risk factor for developing neurodegenerative disease. This research program will provide valuable information to understand the exact mechanisms of how neurotropic viruses induce neuronal impairment in the CNS, potentially leading to the discovery of new therapeutic targets.