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Virology 2017 conferenceseries.com 1300th Conference Virology 2017 12th World Congress on Virology October 16-17, 2017 Baltimore, USA Keynote Forum Day 1 Page 23 conferenceseries.com Eckard Wimmer, J Antivir Antiretrovir 2017, 9:3 (Suppl) DOI: 10.4172/1948-5964-C1-035 12th World Congress on Virology October 16-17, 2017 Baltimore, USA Eckard Wimmer Stony Brook University, USA An impact of synthetic virology: Recoding arboviruses for vaccine development wing to known genome sequences, modern strategies of DNA synthesis have made it possible to recreate all known Ovirus’s independent of natural templates. Synthesizing viral genomes provides a powerful tool for studying gene function and pathogenic potential of these organisms to an extent that was hitherto impossible. Using whole genome synthesis, we have recoded parts of the Dengue virus (DENV) ORFeome by changing codon pair bias (Coleman et al., 2008). Pairs of synonymous codons do not necessarily appear at their expected frequency (i.e., the frequency expected based on the frequency of individual codons). Some codon pairs are statistically overrepresented (good codon pairs) in ORFeomes, while other pairs are underrepresented (bad codon pairs). We have discovered that a genome with an abundance of bad codon pairs (called “deoptimized") kills viral proliferation, even though codon usage or protein sequences remained unchanged (no rare codons introduced). We have discovered that the protein synthesis machineries of two distinct phyla of the Animal Kingdom, insects of Arthropoda and mammals of Chordata, have evolved different Codon Pair Biases. Arboviruses (insect-born viruses) like DENV, however, must balance both biases to proliferate. We have undone the genome-encoding balance and, through computer design and chemical synthesis, specifically shifted the encoding preference away from mammals, thereby generating in a very short time vaccine candidate. These are mammalian-attenuated, grow to high titers in insect cells, to low titers in mammalian cells, have dramatically reduced LD50 in newborn mice, and induce high levels of protective antibodies. We will present evidence that the same strategy is applicable also to the generation of vaccines for the protection against ZIKA virus infection. Biography Eckard Wimmer has received his PhD in Organic Chemistry at the University of Göttingen, Germany, is a Professor of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY. He has studied human RNA viruses for more for four decades, particularly poliovirus. Apart from numerous investigations of replication and pathogenesis, he is known for the de novo test tube chemical synthesis of poliovirus, the first organism created strictly based on information contained in the public domain. He is a Member of the National Academy of Sciences. [email protected] J Antivir Antiretrovir Virology 2017 Volume 9, Issue 3 (Suppl) ISSN: 1948-5964 JAA, an open access journal October 16-17, 2017 Page 24 conferenceseries.com Gamal El Sawaf, J Antivir Antiretrovir 2017, 9:3 (Suppl) DOI: 10.4172/1948-5964-C1-035 12th World Congress on Virology October 16-17, 2017 Baltimore, USA Gamal El Sawaf Alexandria University, Egypt Spatiotemporal dynamics of Chikungunya and Dengue virus transmission in the Arabian Peninsula he global distribution of mosquito-borne viruses has seen considerable research attention in recent years, particularly about Tviruses transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. These diseases e.g. dengue (DENV), yellow fever, Chikungunya (CHIKV) and Zika, present serious public health problems, particularly in the light of recent spread events, in which each of the diseases has emerged either in new regions or in new environments. Understanding the spatio-temporal dynamics of endemic infections is of critical importance for a deeper understanding of pathogen transmission, and for the design of more efficient public health strategies. CHIKV and DENV are endemic in the Arabian Peninsula region including Yemen, and the number of reported cases has increased dramatically in the past decade. However, the spatial-temporal dynamics and the potential risk factors in transmission of these viruses have yet to be characterized. A total of 795 suspected cases of CHIKV and DENV reported at the county level between 2012 and 2013 were recruited from 6 hospital centers located in Al Hodeida Governorate in Yemen. Samples were subjected to serological, molecular biology and phylogenetic analysis. Time-series analyses, spatiotemporal cluster analyses, and spatial scan statistics were used to explore the characteristics of the CHIKV and DENV incidence in this region. Our results showed the distribution of cases for Chikungunya and Dengue virus infection in relation to time and space. Peaks were observed during the month of February, when the highest number of Chikungunya fever was observed, while the highest absolute number and proportion of Dengue fever was reported in May. A low number of cases were reported in June and January. Phylogenetic and Phylogeographic analysis showed that the Yemen isolates of CHIKV were dated back to the year 2010, whereas DENV isolates were dated back to the year 2003 Burkina Faso strains. The spatiotemporal dynamics of these viruses varied over the study period with high-risk clusters identified in southwest, southern, and middle-eastern parts of Yemen. The risk and endemicity of CHIKV and DENV outbreaks occurs mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. However, these viruses especially Dengue virus are now spreading to North America and Europe. Our study sheds light on the global spatiotemporal dynamics of these viruses in one of the countries of Arabian Peninsula that could be targeted with public health interventions to mitigate the growing threat of these viruses. This study reinforces both the need to monitor the spread of CHIKV and DENV, and to apply significant measures for vector control. Biography Gamal El Sawaf is a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Egypt. He is a nationally recognized leader in infectious diseases. He was graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University in 1979. He has obtained his PhD in 1993 and his Post Doctor training course in the Laboratory of Infectious Diseases (Cattedra Di Clinica Delle Malattie Infettive) University of Rome, Tor Vergata. He was appointed as the Head of Microbiology Department in 2008 and the Director of the Medical Technology Center in 2010 and finally, the Dean of MRI. His main fields of research activities are in the clinical aspects pathogenesis and therapy of HCV, HIV and HHV-8 infection and epidemiology and molecular characterization of hepatitis viruses in Egypt. He has acted as a Referee for a variety of national and international scientific journals and as a Referee of research projects of the Alexandria University and of the STDF projects. He is a Member of the American Society of Microbiology, The Egyptian Society of Microbiology and Egyptian Society of Immunologists. He is a Project Leader of several research programs on HCV, HHV and TB. [email protected] Notes: J Antivir Antiretrovir Virology 2017 Volume 9, Issue 3 (Suppl) ISSN: 1948-5964 JAA, an open access journal October 16-17, 2017 Page 25 conferenceseries.com 1300th Conference Virology 2017 12th World Congress on Virology October 16-17, 2017 Baltimore, USA Keynote Forum Day 2 Page 40 conferenceseries.com Roger M Loria, J Antivir Antiretrovir 2017, 9:3 (Suppl) DOI: 10.4172/1948-5964-C1-035 12th World Congress on Virology October 16-17, 2017 Baltimore, USA Roger M Loria Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, USA Enhancing host resistance to infections Androstanediol epimers (Δ5 androstane, 3β, 17α diol; and Δ5 androstane, 3β, 17β diol) consist of a metabolic endocrine β node which functions to regulate host resistance to infections and malignancies. The β Androstane steroids (17β AED/ AET) up-regulate immunity and increase host resistance against lethal infection by viruses, and bacteria. The β Androstenes increase the levels of the TH1 cytokines, IL-2, IL-3, and IFNγ and counteract hydrocortisone mediated immune suppression. Treatment with a single dose of either 17β AED or 17β AET protected the host from whole body lethal radiation and led to the recovery of the remaining hematopoietic precursor cells. Increased host resistance protected the host from lethal infection by DNA or RNA viruses such as herpes virus, coxsackievirus B4, influenza, and arthropod borne viruses. Similar protection against lethal Gram positive and Gram-negative bacteria infections has been observed. The specificity of 17β AED/17β AET is illustrated by the finding that the 17α epimer (17α AED inhibits proliferation and mediates apoptosis in tumor cells of murine and human origin and induces autophagy in human glioblastoma. In summary, these agents provide a unique new avenue for the control, mitigation, and prevention of diseases by viral, bacterial infections. The androstenes are a new subclass of steroid hormones with specific and unique physiological properties. Biography Roger M Loria is an Emeritus Professor in Microbiology, Immunology with joint appointments in Pathology and Emergency Medicine. He has obtained his Doctorate from Boston University, Postdoctoral studies by the Massachusetts Heart Association, Greater Boston Chapter and a sabbatical at Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. He is a Research Fellow in Children’s Hospital in Infectious Disease Unit. He has more than 80 publications
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