Joint European research to fight against the herpes virus

The EDGE project has received a grant of DKK 29 million from HORIZON2020. The grant provides the opportunity to train 15 PhD students within virology and immunology, the science of viruses and the immune system. The researchers will examine the herpes virus more closely. The virus is widespread and can be the cause of serious diseases, particularly in children, elderly people and those with a weakened immune system.

"The herpes virus is a virus that causes chickenpox, shingles, inflammation of the brain, the herpes STD, cold sores, glandular fever and a range of cancers. At present there are almost no vaccines against infections caused by the herpes virus. Neither are the treatments satisfactory," says Søren Riis Paludan.

In addition to Søren Riis Paludan’s group, associate professor and specialty registrar Trine Mogensen from Aarhus University Hospital is also an Aarhus-based participant. A total of 15 interactive projects will be carried out with the aim of creating new knowledge and new synergies between basic research and ways of utilising the new knowledge for the benefit of society. 

"EDGE is a network-based platform to train the next generation of researchers to solve some of the challenges that need to be overcome so that we can become better at preventing and treating herpes virus infections," says Søren Riis Paludan.

The project is a collaboration between nine universities, hospitals and companies in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and the UK.

"This grant will lead to the establishing of an European network that will provide the PhD students with research training and teaching, so they are prepared for future career opportunities within academia, hospitals and the biotechnology industry," says Søren Riis Paludan.

Further information

Søren Riis Paludan
Aarhus University, Department of Biomedicine
Telephone: (+45) 2899 2066
srp@biomed.au.dk

Trine Hyrup Mogensen
Aarhus University, Department of Clinical Medicine and
Aarhus University Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases
trine.mogensen@dadlnet.dk

Who is involved in the project?

The programme coordinator is Professor Søren Riis Paludan, Aarhus University.

The other participants are:
Hannover Medical School
The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research
The University of Oxford
The University Medical Centre Utrecht
The Max-Planck Institute for Biochemistry
The University of Turin
Aarhus University Hospital
Janssen Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, Crucell Holland.
 
Jena Biosciences GmbH and LADR GmbH are affiliated partners.