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Virological Research Group

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The main profile of our research group is the research of viral zoonoses (diseases that are spread from animals to humans caused by viruses). Due to global warming and the expansion of human living-space, animal viruses pose a growing threat for human - and veterinary health. Pathogens causing severe epidemics are emerging more frequently thanks to global activities. One of our research aim is to identify well known and new pathogens in samples originating from Hungary and from foreign countries, thanks to our extensive international collaboration network. We intend to monitor their prevalence, characterize their genetic background and describe the mechanism of viral infection. Predominantly, we examine rodent and bat populations, but we also study mosquitoes, ticks and other arthropod vectors, too. We have established well functioning collaborations with stakeholders in public health, animal health and industry, thus we also contribute to the development of diverse diagnostic methods for the pathogens characterized in our lab.
 
Examination of pathomechanism and mechanism of action of  antivirals
On account of urbanization, people more often get into contact with infections spreading from animals to human. The spreading of diseases is almost unhindered in the population, primarily because of the emerging number of international travels. Global viral epidemics affecting whole societies do receive growing attention (Ebola, Influenza, Human infecting coronaviruses, etc.). The discovery of a new viral infection thathas the potential to cause global pandemics is setting a huge challenge for researchers and necessitates the development of new antiviral drugs. The lack of antiviral active agents can lead to the inefficient treatment of viral infections. Specific treatment is available for some viruses, but their capacity for fast mutation ensures them advantage in the competition of developing new therapeutic agents.
 
In our research we examine two effective methods differing in target points to eliminate viral infection:
  1. On the one hand, we target the replication cycle of the virus with RNA interference gene silencing. This method has been successfully applied for many viral infections. The primary goal of RNA interference is the evolutional protection against exogenous pathogens and harmful, endogenous nucleic acids. The RNA interference is generated by double-stranded RNA molecules, which can specifically attach to complement mRNA sequences, and by that leading to gene-specific translational silencing. Synthetic siRNA molecules designed by our group are evoking posttranscriptional silencing, when endonucleases degrade the target mRNAs.
  2. The other in-cell approach aims to hinder the assembly of the viral capsid with the application of specific, synthetic peptides. The interfacial attachment of low molecular weight peptides are blocking one or more “hotspots” on the surface of the given protein, thus confounds the viral capsid assembly through competitive interactions with other viral proteins.
 
Study of bat-borne viral pathogens
Bats represent a unique group of mammals due to their flying and special orientation capabilities. They are the second most diverse group among mammals with a high number of species and wide geographic distribution. They can be found in almost every continent except the Antarctica. Approximately 1600 species have been described so far, but the numbers of new species are increasing continually. Bats are highly socialized creatures, living in colonies which size can vary from small families to huge colonies with millions of specimens. They are responsible for numerous ecosystem services, for example the pollination of flowers on the tropics, pest control, and last but not least bat guano counts as a very valuable fertilizer.
Since the global SARS Coronavirus pandemic in 2002-2003, high number of viruses has been identified in bats. Some of them are able to cross species boundaries, thus able to infect other animals and human, too. Ebola viruses in Africa or Rabies virus in the Americas are good example to the risk that bats might mean. However, this risk is not limited only to the tropical regions. Lyssaviruses found in bats have been well-known in Europe for decades, but new viruses have been described recently thanks to ongoing researches. The investigation of  pathogenicity and infectious properties are the key to prevent human infection and also to protect vulnerable bat communities.
 
Besides identifying new viruses, we aim to test their pathogenicity and to estimate the risk they pose in the aspect of human and animal health care and to bat conversation.
The main directions of our research are the following:
  1. Whilst many studies are focusing on this subject in Europe, data on the situation in Central-Eastern Europe and in Hungary is rarely available. Regular monitoring of bats can give us information on the distribution of viruses in time and space. Furthermore it enables the examination of the most common genetic variants.
  2. The successfulness of virus isolation from different animal and human cell lines can give us information about their zoonotic potential.
  3. The results of virus isolation experiments from primary cell lines and immortalized cell lines are highly important, because it enables us to establish an applied laboratory model and it also gives an opportunity to study the chiroptera-borne viruses virus-host interactions. These data could give an essential insight to further investigate pathomechanisms and lay ground for clinical studies.
 
Hantaviruses research
Hantaviruses are primarily borne by rodents ( rats, mice, voles), shrews and by bats, according to the most recent studies. The virus does not sicken animals, but infected animals excrete the potentially infectious pathogen for their whole life span. The virus can enter the human body by inhaling dust contaminated with dry urine from infected animal. Many type of Hantaviruses found in Hungary can cause severe, sometimes life-threatening infections. The most common manifestation is the hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, which causes severe kidney and liver malignancies. Most of the patients require hospitalization due to emerging renal failure. The viruses is spread by rodents living in the woods, but due to human expansion the living habitat of these rodents are intersecting human living space. Hantaviruses mean cumulative burden for public health. Mostly people doing fieldwork in agriculture and forestry are affected, but soldiers, trail runners and hikers are also jeopardized.
 
Our research group aim to assess the presence of viruses in animals known to spread Hantaviruses. Furthermore, we aim to genetically characterize these pathogens, examine the dynamics of infection between specimens and areas. Finally, in collaboration with the clinics of the University of Pécs, investigation of patient cases that require hospitalisation, monitor the course of the disease and develop the diagnostics of hantaviruses is also comprised in our activity.
 
Ecology and epizootiology of zoonoses
Drastic acceleration of globalization and urbanization resulted in the change of natural habitat globally, that led to the alteration of ecological systems and the structure of animal communities. Cohabitation between animals and human became more close, the contact events are increasing rapidly.
The above mentioned processes affect the prevalency of animal-borne infectious diseases (zoonoses) both directly and indirectly, as the risk of human infection is emerging. The risk of diseases is relevant on all continents, most commonly among rodents living in cities (Rodentia), different thick species (Ixodidae), mosquitos (Culicidae), horse-flies (Ceratopogonidae). Although studies on zoonoses are multifaceted, the ecological aspects of spreading pathogens (seasonality, distribution, sensibility, impact of collateral occurrence, risk of urbanization) are not well-described. For this reason, our research group has set a new, interdisciplinary direction, called “Diseases Ecology”. We intend to investigate the ecological relevance and background of infectious diseases, beside detecting zoonoses in urban areas (viruses, bacteria, protozoon and vermins). Thus we intend to collectively study vector and host organisms, their distribution in time and space, and the affecting environmental circumstances.
In our research we apply the methodology of different fields, such as Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Epidemiology and Ecology.  Laboratory work is well complemented with the investigation and modelling of ecological influencing factors with complex statistical analysis.
 
Research of insect-specific  flaviviruses
Several single-stranded RNA viruses belong to the Flaviviridae genus that is highly significant in public health, for example Dengue-virus, Yellow fever virus or West-Nile virus. However, flaviviruses are arthropod-borne, it can spread between vertebrates and arthropod vectors by horizontal transmission. Some of the flaviviruses are also transmitted horizontally and infect vertebrates, but their vector is unknown. A new, small group of flaviviruses has been discovered in the last decade, namely the group of insect-specific flaviviruses. After their discovery, it has been observed that insect specific flaviviruses can only replicate in mosquito hosts, and they lack the capability to replicate in vertebrate hosts. Beside this, they are globally widespread, and their subsistence is ensured by vertical transmission.
In contrast with other group of flaviviruses, the role of insect-specific flaviviruses in nature are not well known, although many in vitro studies focus on the investigation of this problem. It is likely that insect-specific flaviviruses are able to suppress the reproduction of human pathogen flaviviruses. Even though, according to recent studies insect specific flaviviruses are not capable to cause human disease, this matter need to be further investigated in order to certify that they are not able to develop into human pathogenic viruses. Answering this question, could also give us a broader picture on why certain flaviviruses can become considerable human pathogenic viruses, whereas others can not replicate in vertebrates.



Dr. Kornélia Kurucz
assistant professor
kornelia.kurucz@gmail.com
29049
Gábor Kemenesi
research fellow

+36 72 503 600
Mónika Madai
PhD student
madai.monika@pte.hu
+36 72 503-600
Brigitta Zana
research fellow
brigitta.zana@gmail.com
Safia Zeghbib
PhD student

29049
Fanni Vivien Földes
PhD student

2017
Kemenesi G, Kurucz K, Zana B, Tu VT, Görföl T, Estók P, Földes F, Sztancsik K, Urbán P, Fehér E, Jakab F. Highly divergent cyclo-like virus in a great roundleaf bat (Hipposideros armiger), Vietnam. ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY in press (2017)
 
Fehér E, Kemenesi G, Oldal M, Kurucz K, Kugler R, Farkas SL, Marton S, Horváth G, Bányai K, Jakab F. Isolation and complete genome characterization of novel reassortant orthoreovirus from common vole (Microtus arvalis) VIRUS GENES 53(2):307-311 (2017)
 
Kurucz K, Kemenesi G, Zana B, Zeghbib S, Oldal M, Jakab F. Ecological preferences of the putative West Nile virus vector Uranotaenia unguiculata mosquito with description of an original larval habitat. NORTH-WESTERN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY e161103:(1) p. 1. (2017)
 
Zana B, Kemenesi G, Antal L, Földes F, Oldal M, Bányai K, Jakab F. Molecular traces of a putative novel insect flavivirus from Anopheles hyrcanus mosquito species in Hungary. ACTA VIROLOGICA 61:(1) pp. 127-129. (2017)
 
Bányai K, Kemenesi G, Budinski I, Földes F, Zana B, Marton S, Kugler R, Oldal M, Kurucz K, Jakab F. Candidate new rotavirus species in Schreiber’s bats, Serbia. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 48: pp. 19-26. (2016)
 
Mihalov-Kovács E, Martella V, Lanave G, Bodnar L, Fehér E, Marton S, Kemenesi G, Jakab F, Bányai K. Genome analysis of canine astroviruses reveals genetic heterogeneity and suggests possible inter-species transmission. VIRUS RESEARCH 232: pp. 162-170. (2017)
 
2016
Antal L, László B, Kotlík P, Mozsár A, Czeglédi I, Oldal M, Kemenesi G, Jakab F, Nagy S. A Phylogenetic evidence for a new species of Barbus in the Danube River basin. MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION 96: pp. 187-194. (2016)
 
Bányai K, Kemenesi G, Budinski I, Földes F, Zana B, Marton S, Kugler R, Oldal M, Kurucz K, Jakab F. Candidate new rotavirus species in Schreiber’s bats, Serbia. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 48: pp. 19-26. (2016)
 
Dóró R, Marton S, Bartókné Horváth A, Lengyel G, Agócs Z, Jakab F, Bányai K. Equine-like G3 rotavirus in Hungary, 2015 - is it a novel intergenogroup reassortant pandemic strain? ACTA MICROBIOLOGICA ET IMMUNOLOGICA HUNGARICA 63: pp. 243-255. (2016)
 
Damásdi M, Jakab F, Kovács K, Oldal M, Kemenesi G, Szabó E, Vályi-Nagy I, Pytel Á, Farkas L, Szántó Á. Prevalence and type diversity of human papillomaviruses in penile cancers in Hungary. PATHOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY RESEARCH 22:(3) pp. 643-646. (2016)
 
Farkas SL, Marton S, Dandár E, Kugler R, Gál B, Jakab F, Bálint Á, Kecskeméti S, Bányai K. Lineage diversification, homo- and heterologous reassortment and recombination shape the evolution of chicken orthoreoviruses. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS 6: Paper 36960. (2016)
 
Francuski L, Milankov V, Ludoski J, Krtinic B, Lundström J, Kemenesi G, Jakab F. Genetic and phenotypic variation in central and north European populations of Aedes (Aedimorphus) vexans (MEIGEN, 1830) (Diptera, Culicidae). JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY 1:(1) p. 1. (2016)
 
Gál J, Marton S, Ihász K, Papp H, Jakab F, Malik YS, Bányai K, Farkas SL. Complete genome sequence of a genotype G23P[37] pheasant rotavirus strain identified in Hungary. GENOME ANNOUNCEMENTS 4: Paper e00119-16. (2016)
 
Kemenesi G, Földes F, Zana B, Kurucz K, Estók P, Boldogh S, Görföl T, Bányai K, Oldal M, Jakab F. Genetic Characterization of Providence virus isolated in bat guano, Hungary. GENOME ANNOUNCEMENTS 1:(1) p. 1. (2016)
 
Kemenesi G, Gellért Á, Dallos B, Görföl T, Boldogh S, Estók P, Marton S, Oldal M, Martella V, Bányai K, Jakab F. Sequencing and molecular modeling identifies candidate members of Caliciviridae family in bats. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 41: pp. 227-232. (2016)
 
Kugler R, Dandár E, Fehér E, Jakab F, Mató T, Palya V, Bányai K, Farkas LS. Phylogenetic analysis of a novel reassortant orthoreovirus strain detected in partridge (Perdix perdix). VIRUS RESEARCH 215: pp. 99-103. (2016)
 
Kugler R, Marschang RE, Ihász K, Lengyel G, Jakab F, Bányai K, Farkas SL. Whole genome characterization of a chelonian orthoreovirus strain identifies significant genetic diversity and may classify reptile orthoreoviruses into distinct species. VIRUS RESEARCH 215: pp. 94-98. (2016)
 
Kurucz K, Kepner A, Krtinic B, Zana B, Földes F, Bányai K, Oldal M, Jakab F, Kemenesi G. First molecular identification of Dirofilaria spp. (Onchocercidae) in mosquitoes from Serbia. PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH 1:(1) p. 1. (2016)
 
Kurucz K, Kiss V, Zana B, Schmieder V, Kepner A, Jakab F, Kemenesi G. Emergence of Aedes koreicus (Diptera: Culicidae) in an urban area, Hungary, 2016. PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH 115:(12) pp. 4687-4689. (2016)
 
Zana B, Kemenesi G, Herczeg R, Dallos B, Oldal M, Marton Sz, Krtinic B, Gellért Á, Bányai K, Jakab F. Genomic characterization of West Nile virus strains derived from mosquito samples obtained during 2013 Serbian outbreak. JOURNAL OF VECTOR BORNE DISEASES 53:(4) pp. 379-383. (2016)
 
2015
Farkas SL, Ihász K, Fehér E, Bartha D, Jakab F, Gál J, Bányai K, Marschang RE. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis identifies candidate members of new picornavirus genus in terrestrial tortoise species. ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY 160: pp. 811-816. (2015)
 
Görföl T, Kemenesi G, Jakab F. Denevérek és vírusjárványok. TERMÉSZET VILÁGA 146:(6) pp. 242-245. (2015
 
Görföl T, Kemenesi G, Jakab F. A denevérek által terjesztett vírusok változatossága a hazai denevér populációkban [High diversity of bat-related viruses in Hungary]. MAGYAR ÁLLATORVOSOK LAPJA 137:(11) pp. 679-686. (2015)
 
Kemenesi G, Zhang D, Marton S, Dallos B, Görföl T, Estók P, Boldogh S, Kurucz K, Oldal M, Kutas A, Bányai K, Jakab F. Genetic characterization of a novel picornavirus detected in Miniopterus schreibersii bats. JOURNAL OF GENERAL VIROLOGY 96:(4) pp. 815-821. (2015)
 
Kemenesi G, Dallos B, Görföl T, Estók P, Boldogh S, Kurucz K, Oldal M, MartonS, Bányai K, Jakab F. Genetic diversity and recombination within bufaviruses: detection of a novel strain in Hungarian bats. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 33: pp. 288-292. (2015)
 
Kemenesi G, Kurucz K, Kepner A, Dallos B, Oldal M, Herczeg R, Vajdovics P, Bányai K, Jakab F. Circulation of Dirofilaria repens, Setaria tundra, and Onchocercidae species in Hungary during the period 2011-2013. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY 214:(1-2) pp. 108-113. (2015)
 
Marton S, Bányai K, Gál J, Ihász K, Kugler R, Lengyel G, Jakab F, Bakonyi T, Farkas SL. Coding-complete sequencing classifies parrot bornavirus 5 into a novel virus species. ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY 160:(11) pp. 2763-2768. (2015)
 
Marton S, Mihalov-Kovács E, Dóró R, Csata T, Fehér E, Oldal M, Jakab F, Matthijnssens J, Martella V, Bányai K. Canine Rotavirus C strain detected in Hungary shows marked genotype diversity. JOURNAL OF GENERAL VIROLOGY 96: pp. 3059-3071. (2015)
 
Mihalov-Kovács E, Gellért Á, Marton S, Farkas SL, Fehér E, Oldal M, Jakab F, Martella V, Bányai K. Candidate new rotavirus species in sheltered dogs, Hungary. EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES 21: pp. 660-663. (2015)
 
Oldal M, Sironen T, Henttonen H, Vapalahti O, Madai M, Horváth Gy, Dallos B, Kutas A, Földes F, Kemenesi G, Németh V, Bányai K, Jakab F. Serologic survey of orthopoxvirus infection among rodents in Hungary. VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES 15:(5) pp. 317-322. (2015)
 
Szilvia Melegh, György Schneider, Marianna Horváth, Ferenc Jakab, Levente Emődy, Zoltán Tigyi. Identification and characterization of CTX-M-15 producing Klebsiella pneumoniae clone ST101 in a Hungarian university teaching hospital. ACTA MICROBIOLOGICA ET IMMUNOLOGICA HUNGARICA 62:(3) pp. 233-245. (2015)
 
2014
Banyai K, Borzak R, Ihasz K, Feher E, Dan A, Jakab F, Papp T, Hetzel U, Marschang RE, Farkas SL. Whole-genome sequencing of a green bush viper reovirus reveals a shared evolutionary history between reptilian and unusual mammalian orthoreoviruses. ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY 159: pp. 153-158. (2014)
 
Dandár E, Farkas SL, Marton S, Oldal M, Jakab F, Mató T, Palya V, Bányai K. The complete genome sequence of a European goose reovirus strain. ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY 159: pp. 2165-2169. (2014)
 
Dandár E, Huhtamo E, Farkas SL, Oldal M, Jakab F, Vapalahti O, Bányai K. Complete genome analysis identifies Tvärminne avian virus as a candidate new species within the genus Orthoreovirus. JOURNAL OF GENERAL VIROLOGY 95: pp. 898-904. (2014)
 
Farkas SL, Dandár E, Marton S, Fehér E, Oldal M, Jakab F, Mató T, Palya V, Bányai K. Detection of shared genes among Asian and European waterfowl reoviruses in the whole genome constellations. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 28C: pp. 55-57. (2014)
 
Fehér E, Pazár P, Kovács E, Farkas SL, Lengyel G, Jakab F, Martella V, Bányai K. Molecular detection and characterization of human gyroviruses identified in the ferret fecal virome. ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY 159:(12) pp. 3401-3406. (2014)
 
Kemenesi G, Dallos B, Görföl T, Boldog S, Estók P, Kurucz K, Oldal M, Németh V, Madai M, Bányai K, Jakab F. Novel European lineages of bat astroviruses identified in Hungary. ACTA VIROLOGICA 58:(1) pp. 95-98. (2014)
 
Kemenesi G, Krtinić B, Milankov V, Kutas A, Dallos B, Oldal M, Somogyi N, Németh V, Bányai K, Jakab F. West Nile virus surveillance in mosquitoes, April to October 2013, Vojvodina province, Serbia: implications for the 2014 season. EUROSURVEILLANCE 19:(16) Paper 20779. 5 p. (2014)
 
Kemenesi G, Dallos B, Oldal M, Kutas A, Földes F, Németh V, Reiter P, Bakonyi T, Bányai K, Jakab F. Putative novel lineage of West Nile virus in Uranotaenia unguiculata mosquito, Hungary. VIRUSDISEASE 25:(4) pp. 500-503. (2014)
 
Kemenesi G, Dallos B, Görföl T, Boldogh S, Estók P, Kurucz K, Kutas A, Földes F, Oldal M, Németh V, Martella V, Bányai K, Jakab F. Molecular survey of RNA viruses in Hungarian bats: discovering novel astroviruses, coronaviruses and caliciviruses. VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES 14:(12) pp. 846-855. (2014)
 
Martella V, Pinto P, Tummolo F, De Grazia S, Giammanco GM, Medici MC, Ganesh B, L’Homme Y, Farkas T, Jakab F, Bányai K. Analysis of the ORF2 of human astroviruses reveals lineage diversification, recombination and rearrangement and provides the basis for a novel sub-classification system. ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY 159: pp. 3185-3196. (2014)
 
Mihalov-Kovács E, Marton S, Fehér E, Lengyel G, Jakab F, Tuboly T, Bányai K. Enteralis vírusfertőzések menhelyi kutyákban Magyarországon: Enteric viral infections of sheltered dogs in Hungary. MAGYAR ÁLLATORVOSOK LAPJA 136: pp. 661-670. (2014)
 
Németh V, Oldal M, Sebők J, Wittmann I, Jakab F. Hantavírus fertőzések hazai jelentősége a legújabb virológiai, epidemiológiai és klinikai vizsgálatok eredményeinek tükrében. HYPERTONIA ÉS NEPHROLOGIA 18:(3-4) pp. 76-81. (2014)
 
Oldal M, Németh V, Madai M, Kemenesi G, Dallos B, Péterfi Z, Sebők J, Wittmann I, Bányai K, Jakab F. Identification of hantavirus infection by Western blot assay and TaqMan PCR in patients hospitalized with acute kidney injury. DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE 79:(2) pp. 166-170. (2014)
 
Oldal M, Németh V, Madai M, Pintér R, Kemenesi G, Dallos B, Kutas A, Sebők J, Horváth Gy, Bányai K, Jakab F. Serosurvey of pathogenic hantaviruses among forestry workers in Hungary. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 27:(5) pp. 766-773. (2014)
 
Papp H, Malik YS, Farkas SL, Jakab F, Martella V, Bányai K. Rotavirus strains in neglected animal species including lambs, goats and camelids. VIRUSDISEASE 25: pp. 215-222. (2014)
 
Papp H, Marton S, Farkas SL, Jakab F, Martella V, Malik YS, Palya V, Bányai K. Classification and characterization of a laboratory chicken rotavirus strain carrying G7P[35] neutralization antigens on the genotype 4 backbone gene configuration. BIOLOGICALS 42: pp. 299-304. (2014)
 
Papp H, Rigó D, Dán Á, Farkas SL, Oldal M, Jakab F, Bányai K. Szokatlan rotavírus antigén kombináció azonosítása fiatal fácánban. MAGYAR ÁLLATORVOSOK LAPJA 136: pp. 729-735. (2014)
 
Pintér R, Madai M, Horváth Gy, Németh V, Oldal M, Kemenesi G, Dallos B, Bányai K, Jakab F. Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of tick-borne encephalitis virus in rodents captured in the Transdanubian region of Hungary. VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES 14:(8) pp. 621-624. (2014)
 
Renáta Dóró, Eszter Mihalov-Kovács, Szilvia Marton, Brigitta László, Judit Deák, Ferenc Jakab, Ágnes Juhász, Péter Kisfali, Vito Martella, Béla Melegh, Péter Molnár, Ildikó Sántha, Ferenc Schneider, Krisztián Bányai. Large-scale whole genome sequencing identifies country-wide spread of an emerging G9P[8] rotavirus strain in Hungary, 2012. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 28: pp. 495-512. (2014)
 
Szentpáli-Gavallér Katalin, Antal László, Tóth Mihály, Kemenesi Gábor, Soltész Zoltán, Dán Ádám, Erdélyi Károly, Bányai Krisztián, Bálint Ádám, Jakab Ferenc, Bakonyi Tamás. Monitoring of West Nile virus in mosquitoes between 2011-2012 in Hungary. VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES 14:(9) pp. 648-655. (2014)
 
2013
Klempa B, Avsic-Zupanc T, Clement J, Dzagurova TK, Henttonen H, Heyman P, Jakab F, Kruger DH, Maes P, Papa A, Tkachenko EA, Ulrich RG, Vapalahti O, Vaheri A. Complex evolution and epidemiology of Dobrava-Belgrade hantavirus: implications for taxonomy. ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY 158:(3) pp. 521-529. (2013)
 
Németh V, Oldal M, Egyed L, Gyuranecz M, Erdélyi K, Kvell K, Kalvatchev N, Zeller H, Bányai K, Jakab F. Serologic evidence of crimean-congo hemorrhagic Fever virus infection in Hungary. VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES 13:(4) pp. 270-272. (2013)
 
Németh V, Oldal M, Madai M, Horváth Gy, Kemenesi G, Dallos B, Bányai K, Jakab F. Molecular characterization of Dobrava and Kurkino genotypes of Dobrava-Belgrade hantavirus detected in Hungary and Northern Croatia. VIRUS GENES 47:(3) pp. 546-549. (2013)
 
Papp H, László B, Jakab F, Ganesh B, De Grazia S, Matthijnssens J, Ciarlet M, Martella V, Bányai K. Review of group A rotavirus strains reported in swine and cattle. VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY 165: pp. 190-199. (2013)
 
Papp H, Borzák R, Farkas S, Kisfali P, Lengyel G, Molnár P, Melegh B, Matthijnssens J, Jakab F, Martella V, Bányai K. Zoonotic transmission of reassortant porcine G4P[6] rotaviruses in Hungarian pediatric patients identified sporadically over a 15 year period. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 19: pp. 71-80. (2013)
 
Pintér R, Madai M, Vadkerti E, Németh V, Oldal M, Kemenesi G, Dallos B, Gyuranecz M, Kiss G, Bányai K, Jakab F. Identification of tick-borne encephalitis virus in ticks collected in southeastern Hungary. TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES 4:(5) pp. 427-431. (2013)
 
2012
Ganesh B, Bányai K, Martella V, Jakab F, Masachessi G, Kobayashi N. Picobirnavirus infections: viral persistence and zoonotic potential. REVIEWS IN MEDICAL VIROLOGY 22:(4) pp. 245-256. (2012)
 
László B, Kónya J, Dandár E, Deák J, Farkas Á, Gray J, Grósz G, Iturriza-Gomara M, Jakab F, Juhász Á, Kisfali P, Kovács J, Lengyel Gy, Martella V, Melegh B, Mészáros J, Molnár P, Nyúl Z, Papp H, Pátri L, Puskás E, Sántha I, Schneider F, Szomor K, Tóth A, Tóth E, Szűcs Gy, Bányai K. Surveillance of human rotaviruses in 2007-2011, Hungary: exploring the genetic relatedness between vaccine and field strains. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY 55:(2) pp. 140-146. (2012)
 
Midgley SE, Bányai K, Buesa J, Halaihel N, Hjulsager CK, Jakab F, Kaplon J, Larsen LE, Monini M, Poljšak-Prijatelj M, Pothier P, Ruggeri FM, Steyer A, Koopmans M, Böttiger B. Diversity and zoonotic potential of rotaviruses in swine and cattle across Europe. VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY 156:(3-4) pp. 238-245. (2012)
 
Papp H, Al-Mutairi LZ, Chehadeh W, Farkas LS, Lengyel Gy, Jakab F, Martella V, Szűcs Gy, Bányai K. Novel NSP4 genotype in a camel G10P[15] rotavirus strain. ACTA MICROBIOLOGICA ET IMMUNOLOGICA HUNGARICA 59: pp. 411-421. (2012)
Obtained research grants:
 
Duration: 2017-2018
Call made by: University of Pécs, "Research University" Grant (UP)
Name of the grant: "Viral Pathogenesis" Talent Centre
Sum granted: 134.000 EUR
Role of participation: leading laboratory
 
Duration: 2017-2021
Call made by: Ministry of Human Capacities, Human Resource Development Operational Programme (HRDOP)
Name of the grant: Comprehensive Development for Implementing Smart Specialization Strategies at the University of Pécs (HRDOP-3.6.1.-16-2016-00004)
Sum granted: 114.000 EUR
Role of participation: leading laboratory
 
Duration: 2017
Call made by: University of Pécs, Board of Grant Management and Innovation
Name of the grant: Application of drone technology in the harm reduction of mosquitoes
Sum granted: 4.500 EUR
Role of participation: leading laboratory
 
Duration: 2016-2017
Call made by: National Research, Development and Innovation Office, Economic Development and Innovation Operational Programme (EDIOP)
Name of the grant: Development of research infrastructure –internationalization and network development – New directions in the research of infectious diseases – Infrastructural and scientific development of the Biosafety-Level- 4 virological laboratory at the University of Pécs (EDIOP-2.3.3-15-2016-00011)
Sum granted: 400.000 EUR
Role of participation leading laboratory
 
Duration: 2015-2018
Call made by: Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (HSRF)
Name of the grant: Systematic and phylogenetic research of Southeast- Asian bats and their viruses (OTKA-112440)
Sum granted: 85.500 EUR
Role of participation: partner laboratory
 
Duration: 2011-2013
Call made by: Social Infrastructure Operational Programme (SIOP)
Name of the grant:  Complex infrastructural development in research fields of excellence at the University of Pécs (SIOP 1.3.1.-10/1-2010-0008)
Role of participation: partner laboratory
 
Duration: 2011-2013
Call made by: Social Renewal Operational Programme (SROP)
Name of the grant:  Development of University’s Competitiveness in the South Transdanubian Region (SROP-4.2.1.B-10/2/KONV-2010-0002)
Role of participation: partner laboratory
 
Duration: 2009-2012
Call made by: Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (HSRF)
Name of the grant:  Assessment of Prevalence of Hantavirus Infections in Hungary based on the serological analysis of blood samples collected from people working in agriculture or forestry (OTKA-PD-77977)
Sum granted: 29.000 EUR
Role of participation: leading laboratory
 
Duration: 2009-2011
Call made by: Social Renewal Operational Programme (SROP)
Name of the grant:  Science, Please! Establishment of Innovative Research Team ( SROP-4.2.2-08/1/2008-0011)
Sum granted: 18.000 EUR
Role of participation: partner laboratory, group leader
 

 
Professional awards:
 
Recipient: Dr. Ferenc  Jakab
Duration: 2016-2017
Call made by: Ministry of Human Capacities, New National Excellence Programme (NNEP)
Title: Research of the mechanism of action of new antiviral agents, search for novel antiviral targets based on the application of miRNA and siRNA interference  (NNEP-16-4)
 
Recipient: Dr. Ferenc  Jakab
Duration: 2013-2015
Call made by: National Excellence Programme „Magyary Zoltán Postdoctoral Research Fellowship” Advisory (MAGYARY)
Title: Pathogenic or not pathogenic: Hantavirus -induced gene expression in human kidney cells (A2-MZPD-12-0303)
 
Recipient: Dr. Ferenc  Jakab
Duration: 2009-2011
Call made by: Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA), Bolyai János Research Fellowship Advisory (BOLYAI)
Title: Clinical importance of Hantavirus infections, assessment of prevalence and the molecular and virological description of viruses prevalent in Hungary (BO/00279/09/5)
 
Recipient: Dr. Ferenc Jakab
Award: Szentágothai Award
Duration: 2013
Call made by: University of Pécs (UP)
 
Recipient: Gábor Kemenesi
Award: Junior Szentágothai Award
Duration: 2016
Call made by: University of Pécs (UP)
 
Recipient: Gábor Kemenesi
Duration: 2016 - 2017
Call made by: Ministry of Human Capacities, New National Excellence Programme (NNEP)
 
Recipient: Gábor Kemenesi
Award: National Scholarship for Young Talents (NSYT)
Duration: 2015
Call made by: Ministry of Human Capacities, National Excellence Programme (NEP)
 
Recipient: Gábor Kemenesi
Award: Eötvös Loránd Student Scholarship
Duration: 2013
Call made by: Ministry of Human Capacities, National Excellence Programme (NEP)
 
Recipient: Fanni Vivien Földes
Award: Institutional professional, scientific scholarship
Duration: 2017 (6 months)
Call by: University of Pécs (UP)
Title: Research of antiviral methods against Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus
 
Recipient: Fanni Vivien  Földes
Award: Scholarship of the Hungarian Republic
Duration : 2015
Call made by: Ministry of Human Capacities (MHC)
 
Recipient: Fanni Vivien  Földes
Award: Kriszbacher Ildikó Scholarship
Duration: 2015
Call made by: University of Pécs (UP)
 
Recipient: Madai Mónika
Award: Institutional professional, scientific scholarship
Duration: 2017 (6 months)
Call made by: University of Pécs (UP)
Title: Hantavirus detection in small mammals
 
Recipient:  Brigitta Zana
Award: Institutional professional, scientific scholarship
Duration: 2017 (6 months)
Call made by: University of Pécs (UP)
Title: Identification and genetic analysis of insect viruses
 
Recipient: Anett Kepner
Duration: 2016-2017
Call made by: Ministry of Human Capacities, New National Excellence Programme (NNEP)
 
Recipient: Anett Kepner
Award: Scholarship of the Hungarian Republic
Duration: 2016
Call made by : Ministry of Human Capacities (MHC)
 
Recipient: Anett Kepner
Award: Kriszbacher Ildikó Scholarship
Duration: 2015
Call made by: University of Pécs (UP)
 
Recipient:  Bianka Dallos
Award: Scholarship of the Hungarian Republic
Duration: 2016
Call made by: Ministry of Human Capacities (MHC)
 
Recipient:  Bianka Dallos
Award: Rector’s Award for Outstanding Scientific Performance
Duration: 2015
Call made by: University of Pécs (UP)
 
Recipient:  Bianka Dallos
Award: Scholarship of the Hungarian Republic
Duration: 2014
Call made  by: Ministry of Human Capacities (MHC)

Virological research group

BSL-4 Opening Ceremony (February 20, 2017)

BSL-4 Certificate Ceremony (15 February, 2017)

Our students’ achievements (National Student Scientific Association competitions):
 
Anett Kepner (Biology MSc)
  • National Student Conference on Environmental Science - Local round, presentation, (Pécs, 2016) - National round I. prize (Szeged, 2016)
Bianka Dallos (Biology MSc)
  • National Student Conference on Sciences - Local round I. prize (Pécs, 2015) - National round II. prize (Pécs, 2015)
  • National Student Conference on Sciences Prize for the Best Presentation in Biology Section, best presentation (Pécs, 2015)
  • Hungarian Academy of Sciences, National Student Presentation Competition - I. prize (Budapest, 2015)
Arnold Rácz (Biology BSc)
  • National Student Conference on Sciences - Local round I. prize (Pécs, 2015) - National round II. prize (Pécs, 2015)
Emese Németh (Biology BSc)
  • National Student Conference on Sciences - Local round I. prize (Pécs, 2015) - National round II. prize (Pécs, 2015)
CONTACT
Prof. Dr. Ferenc Jakab
Research Group Leader
 +36 72 503600