Image: CDC

COMBATing Dengue with Brain-on-Chip Technology

In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) recorded 6.5 million cases of dengue infections in more than 80 countries. Despite this staggering number, there is currently no specific treatment for dengue infections. Together with nine international partners, OrganoVIR Labs will combine novel brain-on-chip technology with super-resolution microscopy to develop innovative solutions for dengue prevention and treatment.

From mosquitoes to humans

Dengue is a viral infection that is transmitted from mosquitoes to humans. Symptoms of a dengue infection includes high fever, headache, body aches, nausea, or even rashes. In severe cases, dengue virus infection can be fatal. At the moment, there are no specific treatments for dengue virus infections. Patients infected by dengue are recommended to rest as much as possible, take pain relief medications, and to remain as hydrated as possible.

The COMBAT Initiative

As a Horizon RIA (Research and Innovative Action) project, the COMBAT consortium has been granted €8 million to to study host-virus interactions and introduce novel brain-on-chip technology for in-depth dengue pathogenesis modeling. Led by Ujjwal Neogi from the Karolinska Insitutet, the COMBAT initiative will not only enhance our understanding of dengue virus infections, it will also provide affordable and accessible tools for pandemic preparedness.

The COMBAT initiative involves fifteen international partners: Karolinska Institute (coordinator), Amsterdam UMC, Lund University, the Arctic University of Norway, Justus Liebig University,  BioBoxGT, React4Life Spa, Olink Proteomics AB, Chip NanoImaging AS, and University of Missouri.

The COMBAT initiative will develop innovative antiviral strategies to target dengue virus entry and mitigate cytokine storms through host-directed therapy. By combining efforts in the development of brain-on-chip model with drug repurposing and employing nanoscale imaging for in-depth analysis of the virus’ impact, COMBAT is taking a leap forward in the fight against dengue.

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