Drosophila C virus
Drosophila C virus (DCV) is an insect specific positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus and a member of the Dicistroviridae family. Transmitted by feeding, it has been found to infect both wild and laboratory strains of drosophila. Natural infections can lead to death in larval populations, but is not thought to be lethal in adults. However, when injected into the thorax of adult flies the virus is highly pathogenic. Experiments using DCV have been instrumental in examining the innate immune response to virus in drosophila, and as such the virus is widely used in laboratories.
Research at the CVR focuses on the study the interaction between the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia and DCV – Wolbachia is known to protect against DCV infection in flies.
Contact: Alain Kohl
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