1494-Viral ORFeome for Host-Pathogen Interaction Screening

This scientific resource details the creation of a viral ORFeome, a comprehensive library containing approximately 13,000 barcoded genetic sequences from over 500 different virus species. Researchers utilized this platform to conduct large-scale functional screens in human cells, identifying more than 700 viral proteins that manipulate essential host processes such as cellular proliferation and immune signaling. The study highlights specific discoveries, including the protein MC162R, which helps viruses evade detection by degrading immune markers, and YLDV 151R, which blocks antiviral defenses. By mapping these interactions, the authors provide a scalable framework for understanding how diverse viruses adapt to and exploit their hosts. This systematic approach aims to uncover the functions of previously uncharacterized proteins and improve our preparedness for emerging zoonotic threats.

References:

• Fujimura E, O’Leary C N, Li M Z, et al. A viral ORFeome library for systems-level genetic dissection of host-pathogen interactions[J]. Cell, 2026.