Harnessing genomics to fight PRRSV

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a major disease that affects pigs all over the world. It causes breathing problems and reproductive losses, leading to huge financial losses for farmers and the pig industry every year. Beyond the economic costs, PRRSV is a serious animal welfare issue, as it causes long-term illness and makes pigs more vulnerable to other infections. Right now, there are only limited ways to prevent or treat PRRSV. Vaccines are available, but they are not always effective because the virus can change quickly. There are also no widely used medicines to cure infected pigs. One of the main reasons progress has been slow is that researchers do not have the right laboratory systems to study how the virus interacts with pig cells in detail. Without this knowledge, it is hard to design better vaccines, treatments, or breeding programs for PRRSV- resistant pigs. Our project brings together experts from different countries and scientific fields, including virology (the study of viruses), genome editing (precisely changing DNA), and bioinformatics (computer analysis of biological data). We aim to find out exactly which genes in pig cells are essential for PRRSV to infect and multiply. If we can identify these key helper genes that the virus depends on, we can target them to block infection either through new medicines, improved vaccines, or selective breeding of naturally resistant animals. To do this, we will use advanced genetic tools and a unique pig cell line called iMAC, which closely mimics the type of immune cells PRRSV normally infects in pigs. We will carry out a large-scale search across the pig genome to find genes that are absolutely required for PRRSV to survive in the cell. We will also compare results from different cell types, including monkey-derived MARC-145 cells and real pig lung immune cells. Once we have a list of important genes, we will investigate what each one does, how it interacts with other known PRRSV-related genes, and whether it is linked to natural resistance to the virus. We will also develop improved laboratory tools that make it easier to change genes in pig cells, helping scientists around the world study PRRSV and other pig diseases more effectively. By the end of the project, we will deliver three major outcomes: 1. A better understanding of how PRRSV uses pig cells to grow and spread. 2. New genetic tools, including a powerful pig genome library, to speed up disease research. 3. Resources and knowledge that can also help combat other pig diseases and support research into organ transplants from pigs to humans (xenotransplantation). In the long run, this work could help farmers keep pigs healthier, reduce the need for antibiotics, and improve food security all while supporting animal welfare and sustainable farming.