Breakthrough Bat organoid platform raises questions about the behavior of zoonotic viruses

Breakthrough Bat organoid platform raises questions about the behavior of zoonotic viruses

Did you know that more than 75% of new infectious diseases affecting humans originated in animals? Bats in particular are natural hosts to some of the world's most dangerous viruses, including those responsible for Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2), MERS-CoV, influenza A and hantavirus outbreaks. Despite their importance, scientists have long struggled to study how these viruses behave in bats simply because the proper biological tools did not exist.

To date, most research has used either generalized cell samples or organoids made from only one species of tropical fruit bat, and only from a single organ. However, a breakthrough has arrived: a research team led by the Institute for Grunding Science (IBS) in Korea, together with international collaborators, has created the world's most comprehensive BAT organoid platform. These “mini-organs” are bred from five common bat species in Asia and Europe and represent four different organs-airway, lungs, kidneys and small intestine.

By reconstructing bat organ physiology in the laboratory, we can study how zoonotic viruses transition from animals to humans in unprecedented detail. “

Koo Bon-Kyoung, director of the IBS Center for Genome Engineering

Testing viruses where they live

With these new tools, researchers were able to directly test how key viruses SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, influenza A and hantavirus infect different bat species and organs. They found that each virus behaves uniquely, sometimes infecting only certain organs or species of bats. For example, a virus that grew easily in the lungs of one bat might not grow in the kidney of another. This helps explain why some viruses can jump to humans while others are restricted to bats.

Senior researcher Kim Hyunjoon emphasized: "With this platform, we can study viruses, infections and tests that you cannot do with ordinary laboratory cell models in one system. By mimicking the bat's natural environment, it increases the accuracy and real value of research in infectious disease."

The team also discovered another mystery: bat immune systems respond differently to the same virus depending on the organ and species. This could help explain why bats can carry so many viruses without getting sick themselves.

Another major achievement was the discovery of two previously unknown bat viruses-A mammalian orthoreovirus and a paramyxovirus, e.g. Remarkably, one of these viruses could not be grown in standard cell cultures but thrived in the new BAT organoids, proving how valuable this technology is for future virus isolation.

And by converting the organoids into a two-dimensional version, it allowed scientists to quickly test potential antiviral drugs like remdesivir. These tests provided more reliable results than traditional laboratory methods.

A global biobank for future pandemic preparedness

This bat organoid platform marks a new era for infectious disease research, making it possible to study dangerous viruses safely and effectively in an environment that closely reflects real life. For the first time, scientists can study new viruses, assess their risk and test drugs using bat tissues from multiple species and organs.

“With these standardized and scalable bat organoids, we want to systematically identify new bat-origin viruses and include antiviral candidates for pathogens with pandemic potential,” said Dr. Choi Young Ki, Director of the Korea Virus Research Institute, Institute for Basic Science (IBS).

The research team aims to expand this work into a global biobank resource that will serve as a cornerstone for both national and international biosecurity efforts. This initiative will enable deeper study of the viral traits that drive interbreeding transmission, support the development of comprehensive genetic maps of key bat species, and facilitate global preparedness. Ultimately, this platform will support the efforts of health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), to predict and prevent future pandemics.

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