Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a deadly disease of cats, caused by a viral infection. The virus normally resides in the gut of the cat, but can mutate, infect the immune system of certain cats, and then spread to other tissues (e.g., liver, brain). Based on an analysis of the genome sequence of viruses that infect different tissues, researchers propose that key changes in the surface protein of the virus adapt it to the different tissues. The researchers propose to perform laboratory-based experiments on post-mortem samples to define the sequences of the different viruses in the different tissues. The work will characterize the changes that occur in the virus surface protein, allowing a more detailed understanding of this devastating disease for which there remains no effective treatment. (Bria Fund Study)
Grants