Norovirus Genomics and its Applications to Vaccine Development. Norovirus

We propose to sequence and analyze 130 clinical, archival and vaccine study strains from human and chimpanzees using Next Generation (454 and Solexa) technologies. Extensive genetic and antigenic diversity exists among circulating noroviruses, but the molecular mechanisms responsible for the generation of this diversity are poorly understood. In order to facilitate development of norovirus vaccines, the goal of this proposal is to establish a genomics approach to the analysis of norovirus diversity and evolution. An additional collection of approximately 200 clinical isolates ( stool samples) obtained from children with acute diarrhea and infected with Norovirus in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam will be sequenced. Sequencing of a collection of Norovirus organisms combined with epidemiological and clinical data will add insight into the overall distribution and pathogenesis of Norovirus within Ho Chi Minh City and in a global health context. Furthermore, sequencing of this collection will aid future spatio-temporal dynamics studies of this pathogen in southern Vietnam.