RNAi based Vaccine development in the Aedes albopictus mosquito against chikungunya virus

The RiVAc project aims to develop, validate, and optimize a chikungunya virus (CHIKV)-specific RNAi-based vaccine technology for the Aedes albopictus mosquito to arrest, retard or prevent CHIKV replication in the mosquito and onward transmission of the virus by the insect vector.Encapsulation of CHIKV-dsRNA is hypothesized to be crucial for effective RNAi-mediated antiviral effects due to the susceptibility to degradation and inefficient cellular uptake of naked dsRNA. The project will generate and characterize polymer-based (A) Chitosan- (Ch) and (B) Carbon Quantum Dot (CQD) nanoparticles (NPs), and bio-based (C) non-replicative self-amplifying Virus Like Particles (nrsaVLPs) and (D) replicative Modified Viral Vectors (rMVV) to enhance dsRNA stability and promote intracellular delivery. Optimization of the nanocarriers will be evaluated in vitro using a CHIKV reporter virus in Ae. albopictus derived cell lines. The real-world applicability of this strategy will be tested in vivo in infected mosquitos under laboratory conditions. Specific objectives include generating and characterizing nanocarriers, evaluating biodistribution, dsRNA internalization in mosquito cells and assessing antiviral effects.The project addresses challenges associated with CHIKV control in Ae. albopictus mosquitoes and aims to provide a targeted, sustainable, environmentally- and vector friendly CHIKV control strategy.