L’objectif à long terme de mon programme de recherche concerne l’étude des interactions hôte-virus en vue de mieux comprendre la complexité de ces interactions et de développer de nouvelles approches antivirales permettant un contrôle efficace des infections virales. Mon équipe utilise des techniques de pointe en biologie moléculaire, microscopie et virologie afin d’identifier les principaux facteurs moléculaires qui contribuent à la pathogenèse de virus animaux d’importance en santé humaine et en santé animale (p.ex. : le virus du syndrome respiratoire et reproducteur porcin (vSRRP), le virus de la diarrhée épidémique porcine (vDEP, un coronavirus), le virus de la maladie aléoutienne du vison (AMDV), le virus Zika, la dengue, SRAS, etc. De plus, je m'intéresse particulièrement au Varroa destructor, un parasite de type tique qui infeste les ruches, attaque les abeilles et leur transmet des virus.

Notre compréhension actuelle des interactions complexes entre les virus et l'animal est limitée pour un grand nombre de virus qui affectent la santé animale. Ce déficit de connaissance limite notre capacité à développer des vaccins efficaces ainsi que des stratégies antivirales. Les virus infectent les cellules animales pour assurer leur survie et leur reproduction en détournant en leur faveur les mécanismes moléculaires des cellules de l'hôte.

Les mécanismes par lesquels les virus exercent leur fonction sur l'hôte sont variables, soit qu'ils modulent la progression du cycle cellulaire, soit qu’ils stimulent ou inhibent les points de contrôle de signalisation cellulaire altérant les mécanismes de mort cellulaire programmée (apoptose) ou d'autophagie.

Plusieurs virus ont fait les manchettes depuis les 30 dernières années (p. ex.: virus Ébola, SARS, VIH, Zika, coronavirus, etc.). Quoique ces virus soient dirigés vers l'humain, il ne faut pas sous-estimer l'importance des virus véhiculés par les animaux, car certains virus peuvent être transmis aux humains (virus zoonotiques) et la compréhension de leur mécanisme d'infection permet de se préparer pour de futures épidémies.

De plus, les déplacements et le commerce international fournissent de nouvelles occasions environnementales pour l'apparition ou la réapparition de virus. Définir les interactions complexes entre les divers virus et l’hôte permettra d'améliorer notre compréhension de ces pathogènes chez l'animal et l'humain afin d'élucider de nouvelles approches mieux ciblées pour contrôler ces pathogènes et les épidémies. Mon équipe réalise divers projets de caractérisation de nouveaux virus (virus émergents) et de virus réémergents.

Le Dr Abrahamyan détient un Ph. D. en génétique de l’Institut de Génétique Générale et L’Université d'État d'Erevan (Russie et L’Arménie; 1990), avec une formation supplémentaire Docteur ès sciences (D.Sc.) en génétique moléculaire de l'Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de L'Académie des sciences de Russie (Russie; 1995) et possède une expérience postdoctorale très riche.
Il a œuvré en recherche au sein de plusieurs laboratoires de renommée internationale (USA, Canada, Russie et Colombie) et a occupé un poste de professeur et chercheur senior à L'Université Charles de Prague en République Tchèque.
Le Dr Abrahamyan est en poste à la FMV depuis janvier 2015. Ses recherches sont variées, mais son activité de recherche principale est la compréhension de la biologie des virus touchant les animaux et les hommes et les interactions complexes entre les différents virus et l'hôte.

Markarian, N.M.; Galli, G.; Patel, D.; Hemmings, M.; Nagpal, P.; Berghuis, A.M.; Abrahamyan, L.* and Vidal, S.M*. Identifying Markers of Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Patients with Secondary Immunodeficiency. Frontiers in Microbiology, 2022. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.93398. *Equally contributed co-corresponding authors

Vázquez-Valadez, V.H., Hernández-Serda, A., Jiménez-Cabiedes, M.F., Aguirre-Vidal, P., González-Tapia, I., Carreño-Varga,s L., Alarcón-López, Y.A., Espejel-Fuentes, A., Martínez-Soriano, P., Lugo Álvarez., M., Velázquez -Sánchez A.M., Markarian, N.M., Angeles, E., and L. Abrahamyan*. Evaluation of inhibitory activity in silico of in house thiomorpholine compounds between the ACE2 receptor and S1 subunit of SARS-CoV-2 spike. Pathogens, 2021 Sep 17;10(9):1208. doi: 10.3390/pathogens10091208. Impact Factor 4.066. *Corresponding author

Markarian N.M. and L. Abrahamyan*. AMDV Vaccine: Challenges and Perspectives. Viruses, 2021; 13(9):1833. https://doi.org/10.3390/v13091833. Impact Factor 5.127. *Corresponding author

Zakharova O.I.*, Titov I.A., Gogin A.E., Sevskikh T.A., Korennoy F.I., Kolbasov D.V., Abrahamyan, L.* and A. Blokhin. African Swine Fever in the Russian Far East (2019-2020): Spatio-Temporal Analysis and Implications for Wild Ungulates. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2021. 8:882; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.723081. Impact Factor 3.412. *Co-corresponding authors.

Dai X., Zhang X., Ostrikov K., and Abrahamyan L. Host receptors: the key to establishing cells with broad viral tropism for vaccine production. Critical Reviews in Microbiology, 2020 Mar; 46(2):147-168; doi: 10.1080/1040841X.2020.1735992.2020. Impact Factor 8.641.

Couture É.L., Ferrell S.T., Desmarchelier M., Hamelin M.È., Sánchez Mendoza L.J., Carbonneau J., Abrahamyan L., Boivin G., Lair S. Human parainfluenza 2 related illness and a death in a group of captive western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). J Zoo Wildl Med., 2019 Sep;50(3):713-717; doi: 10.1638/2018-0237. Impact Factor 0.776.

Soldatova, I., T. Prilepskaja, L. Abrahamyan, J. Forstová and S. Huérfano. Interaction of the mouse polyomavirus capsid proteins with importins is required for efficient import of viral DNA into the cell nucleus. Viruses, 2018, 10(4), 165; doi:10.3390/v10040165. This paper was highlighted by the editors and one of the images served as a cover page. Impact Factor 5.127.

Churbanov*, A. and L. Abrahamyan*. Preventing common hereditary disorders through time separated twinning. Special Issue: Molecular and Regenerative Medicine. BioNanoScience (Springer), March 2018, Volume 8, Issue 1, pp 344–366; doi: 10.1007/s12668-017-0488-x. *Co-corresponding authors.

Agafonova*, E.V., F.F. Rizvanova, A.E. Kadyrova, and L. Abrahamyan*. Regulatory profile changes of lymphocytes and peripheral blood monocytes in children with candidiasis associated with chronic somatic diseases. Special Issue: Molecular Pathology of Infectious and Autoimmune Diseases. BioNanoScience (Springer) 7:1-6, 2017; doi: 10.1007/s12668-017-0430-2. *Co-corresponding authors.

Khaertynov*, Kh.S., V.A. Anokhin, Y.N. Davidyuk, I.V. Nicolaeva, S.V. Khalioullina, D.R. Semenova, E.Y. Alatyrev, N.N. Skvortsova, and L.G. Abrahamyan*. Case of meningitis in a neonate caused by an extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase-producing strain of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae. Frontiers in Microbiology, 2017. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01576. Impact Factor 5.640. *Co-corresponding authors.

Wang, C., H. Meng, Y. Gao, H. Gao, K. Guo, F. Almazan, I. Sola, L. Enjuanes, Y. Zhang*, et L. Abrahamyan*. Role of transcription regulatory sequence in regulation of gene expression and replication of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. Veterinary Research, 48:41, 2017. doi: 10.1186/s13567-017-0445-2. Impact Factor 4.106. *Co-corresponding authors.

Morzunov, S., Deyde, V., and L. Abrahamyan. New Biomarkers of Innate and Adaptive Immunity in Infectious Diseases. Editorial review. Journal of Immunology Research, September volume, 2017; 2017:7047405. doi: 10.1155/2017/7047405. Guest Editor of Special Issue. Impact Factor 4.818.

Gagnon, C.A., C.K. Traesel, N. Music, J. Laroche, N. Tison, J-P. Auger, S. Music, C. Provost, C. Bellehumeur, L. Abrahamyan, S. Carman, L. DesCôteaux, and S.J. Charette. Whole genome sequencing of a Canadian bovine gammaherpesvirus 4 strain and the possible link between the viral infection and respiratory and reproductive clinical manifestations in dairy cattle. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 4:92, 2017; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2017.00092. Impact Factor 3.412.

Bilkova, E., J. Forstova, L. Abrahamyan*. 2014. Coat as a dagger: the use of capsid proteins to perforate membranes during non-enveloped DNA viruses trafficking. Viruses 6 (7):2899-2937. Impact Factor 5.127. *Corresponding author

Tso, F. Y., L. Abrahamyan, S. L. Hu, R. M. Ruprecht, C. Wood. 2013. Variations in the biological functions of HIV-1 clade C envelope in a SHIV-infected Rhesus macaque during disease progression. Plos One 8 (6):e66973.

Bohl, C., D. Bowder, J. Thompson, L. Abrahamyan, S. Gonzalez-Ramirez, Y. Mao, J. Sodroski, C. Wood, S. H. Xiang. 2013. A twin-cysteine motif in the V2 region of gp120 is associated with SIV envelope trimer stabilization. Plos One 8 (7):e69406.

Bohl, C. R., L. G. Abrahamyan, C. Wood. 2013. Human Ubc9 is involved in intracellular HIV-1 Env stability after trafficking out of the trans-Golgi network in a Gag dependent manner. Plos One 8 (7):e69359.

Guo, H., L. G. Abrahamyan, C. Liu, M. Waltke, Y. Geng, Q. Chen, C. Wood, X. Kong. 2012. Comparative analysis of the fusion efficiency elicited by the envelope glycoprotein V1-V5 regions derived from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 transmitted perinatally. Journal of General Virology 93 (Pt 12):2635-2645.                                                                 

Belzile*, J. P., L. G. Abrahamyan*, F. C. Gerard, N. Rougeau, E. A. Cohen. 2010. Formation of mobile chromatin-associated nuclear foci containing HIV-1 Vpr and VPRBP is critical for the induction of G2 cell cycle arrest. PLoS Pathog 6 (9):e1001080. *Equal contribution. One of the images was published on the cover page of the journal.

Abrahamyan, L. G., L. Chatel-Chaix, L. Ajamian, M. P. Milev, A. Monette, J. F. Clement, R. Song, M. Lehmann, L. DesGroseillers, M. Laughrea, G. Boccaccio, A. J. Mouland. 2010. Novel Staufen1 ribonucleoproteins prevent formation of stress granules, but favour encapsidation of HIV-1 genomic RNA. Journal of Cell Science 123 (Pt 3):369-383.

Lehmann, M., M. P. Milev, L. Abrahamyan, X. J. Yao, N. Pante, A. J. Mouland. 2009. Intracellular transport of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 genomic RNA and viral production are dependent on dynein motor function and late endosome positioning. Journal of Biological Chemistry 284 (21):14572-14585.

Ajamian*, L., L. Abrahamyan*, M. Milev, P. V. Ivanov, A. E. Kulozik, N. H. Gehring, 
A. J. Mouland. 2008. Unexpected roles for UPF1 in HIV-1 RNA metabolism and translation. RNA 14 (5):914-927. *Equal contribution

Kafaie, J., R. Song, L. Abrahamyan, A. J. Mouland, M. Laughrea. 2008. Mapping of nucleocapsid residues important for HIV-1 genomic RNA dimerization and packaging. Virology 375 (2):592-610.

Ma, J., L. Rong, Y. Zhou, B. B. Roy, J. Lu, L. Abrahamyan, A. J. Mouland, Q. Pan, C. Liang. 2008. The requirement of the DEAD-box protein DDX24 for the packaging of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA. Virology 375 (1):253-264.

Chatel-Chaix, L., L. Abrahamyan, C. Frechina, A. J. Mouland, L. DesGroseillers. 2007. The host protein Staufen1 participates in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 assembly in live cells by influencing pr55Gag multimerization. Journal of Virology 81 (12):6216-6230.

Levesque*, K., M. Halvorsen*, L. Abrahamyan, L. Chatel-Chaix, V. Poupon, H. Gordon,
L. DesGroseillers, A. Gatignol, A. J. Mouland. 2006. Trafficking of HIV-1 RNA is mediated by heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2 expression and impacts on viral assembly. Traffic 7 (9):1177-1193. *Equal contribution

Hu, K., J. F. Clement, L. Abrahamyan, K. Strebel, M. Bouvier, L. Kleiman, A. J. Mouland. 2005. A human immunodeficiency virus type 1 protease biosensor assay using bioluminescence resonance energy transfer. Journal of Virological Methods 128 (1-2):93-103.

Melikyan, G. B., R. J. Barnard, L. G. Abrahamyan, W. Mothes, J. A. Young. 2005. Imaging individual retroviral fusion events: from hemifusion to pore formation and growth. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 102 (24):8728-8733.

Abrahamyan, L. G., S. R. Mkrtchyan, J. Binley, M. Lu, G. B. Melikyan, F. S. Cohen. 2005. The cytoplasmic tail slows the folding of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Env from a late prebundle configuration into the six-helix bundle. Journal of Virology 79 (1):106-115.

Abrahamyan, L. G., R. M. Markosyan, J. P. Moore, F. S. Cohen, G. B. Melikyan. 2003. Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Env with an intersubunit disulfide bond engages coreceptors but requires bond reduction after engagement to induce fusion. Journal of Virology 77 (10):5829-5836.

Abramian, L.G., E.S. Tsymbalyuk, T.G. Gazaryan, I.V. Levchenko, N.B. Andreeva,
K.G. Gazaryan. 1996. Expression of gene for homoserine kinase of Escherichia coli in mammalian cells. Molecular Biology. Plenum Publishing Corporation, NY, Vol.30, No.4, p.1, pp 494-498.

Abramian, L.G., I.R. Arkhipova, N.S. Ambartsumyan.1993. Long terminal repeats of Drosophila mobile elements direct transcription in E.coli cells. Molecular Biology, Plenum Publishing Corporation, NY, V. 27, No 2, p.2, pp. 217-219.

Abrahamian, L.G., R.M. Arutyunyan, T.F. Sarkisian, G.D. Zasukhina, S.B. Seredenin, A.D. Durnev. 1990. The complex study of the modification of action of chemical mutagens in human lymphocytes cultures. Biological Journal of Armenia, V. 43, N9, p. 733-738

Arutyunyan, R.M., N.R. Kochar, S.A. Chavushyan, A.A. Kazaryan, L.G. Abrahamian, A.G. Kirakosyan. 1988. The anthropogenetic study of origin from the region of historical Armenia-Sasun.  Biological Journal of Armenia, V. XLI, N9, P.723-728.

Kochar, N.R., R.M. Arutyunyan, S.A. Chavushyan, L.G. Abrahamian, A.A. Kazaryan, K.Yu. Martirosyan. 1988. The anthropogenetic study of origin from the region of historical Armenia-Alashkert. Biological Journal of Armenia, V. XLI, N9, P. 728 - 731.

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