Virus and brain

Studying the impact of persistent viral infection on neurodegenerative diseases

Recent studies have shown that many viruses can impact the brain, even if it isn't their primary site of infection: the flu, SARS-CoV-2, measles, ... Our lab's expertise lies in Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1), which typically infects neurons in the face and progresses slowly towards the brain throughout the life of its host. Its involvement in neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer's disease (AD), seems more and more certain with each new large-scale association study. Using brain organoids together with wet lab and dry lab approaches, we seek to characterise this link between HSV-1 and AD with definitive mechanistic evidence. Through this link, new diagnostic and therapeutic targets will emerge, helping the world combat the impact of ageing on our dearest treasure: memories.