Antiviral interferons are possibly responsible for the high tolerance of bats to zoonotic viruses. We propose to perform RNA sequencing analysis on bat cells responding to either SARS-CoV-2 or interferon treatment. By comparing and contrasting anti-SARS-CoV-2 pathways in human and bat cells, we will uncover unique features of the bat IFN system and thus provide insight into the innate immune responses of an important viral reservoir.
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