Eivind Valen, a leading researcher in translation and transcriptomics at the Department of Biosciences, has been awarded a prestigious European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder grant with project leader Dr. Umberto Rosani from the University of Padova and a team of international experts. This funding will enable the research team to embark on a groundbreaking research project titled “Hacking the Ribosome to Map Virus-Host Associations” (VirHoX), aimed at revolutionizing our understanding of virus-host dynamics and advancing solutions for future biotechnological and medical applications.
European Innovation Council Pathfinder Grant
The EIC Pathfinder, part of the Horizon Europe program, is a highly competitive initiative that supports pioneering research at the earliest stages of development, providing scientists with the resources to explore high-risk, high-gain innovations that promise to shape future technologies. The Pathfinder program seeks out transformative research proposals that have the potential to disrupt scientific fields and establish new markets.
The VirHoX Project: Mapping Virus-Host Associations
The project, VirHoX, targets a critical gap in our understanding of viruses: identifying which viruses infect which hosts in complex microbial ecosystems. While high-throughput sequencing and metagenomics have vastly expanded our knowledge of viral diversity, the current challenge lies in accurately mapping virus-host relationships across different life domains. Addressing this, VirHoX aims to "hack" the ribosome to establish an innovative, unbiased method of host assignment that could apply across various biological systems, from human microbiomes to environmental samples.
“This project holds great potential for both fundamental science and practical applications. By developing this technology, we hope to unlock new insights into virus diversity and transmission, which could significantly impact diagnostics, disease prevention, and ecosystem management”, says Eivind Valen.
Collaborative Efforts Across Europe
Running from 2025 to 2029, VirHoX project will include collaborative efforts with the VirHoX Consortium, a network of academic and industrial experts spanning Italy, France, Austria, Germany, and Norway. Together, they will employ cutting-edge approaches in protein engineering, gene editing, and viral genomics to create high-throughput sequencing protocols capable of tackling the complexities of virus-host interactions in both model and non-model systems.
Opportunities for Emerging Scientists
This pioneering research also provides a unique opportunity for emerging scientists. PhD candidates and junior researchers will play essential roles within the project from its outset, gaining important experience in advanced metagenomic and virology techniques.
Commitment to Scientific Advancement
Professor Valen's achievement underscores the University of Oslo's commitment to support transformative research that propels scientific discovery and technological advancement. The EIC Pathfinder grant affirms Valen’s work as a significant contribution to Europe’s scientific innovation landscape, promising impactful advances in biotechnology, public health, and ecological science.