Research group established for new therapeutic approaches against herpes viruses
2.34 million euros in funding from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research / Approach particularly relevant for newborns, people with immunodeficiency or after transplants
Around 90 percent of the population is infected with herpes viruses - usually without serious consequences. For newborns or people with a weakened immune system, however, an infection can be life-threatening. A research group led by Dr. Florian Full from the Institute for Virology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg is attempting to develop new drugs against herpes viruses. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding the scientist and his team with 2.34 million euros over the next five years. The research group moved from the Medical Center - University of Freiburg to Erlangen on April 1, 2021.
"We are very pleased that we have succeeded in establishing a new junior research group focusing on herpes viruses at the Institute for Virology in Freiburg," says Prof. Dr. Hartmut Hengel, Medical Director of the Institute for Virology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. The junior research group benefits in particular from the scientific environment: the National Consiliary Laboratory for the herpes viruses herpes simplex virus 1+2 and varicella zoster virus is located at the Institute for Virology in Freiburg.
Better therapy for resistant viruses conceivable
The aim of the junior research group "Duxdrugs" is to develop novel drugs for herpesviral infections. The focus is on the cellular protein DUX4. The researchers were able to show that herpes viruses specifically switch on the gene for DUX4 and require it for virus replication. DUX4 plays an important role in early human embryonic development, but later on it no longer has any function. It is therefore an attractive target for antiviral drugs that can specifically switch off the protein.
"There are currently only a few antiviral drugs available for the treatment of herpesviral infections, each of which is only effective against individual herpes viruses and often leads to resistance. The special feature of our strategy is the attempt to develop a broadly effective drug that is theoretically effective against all human herpes viruses. In the best case scenario, it could also be used against resistant viruses," says Full.
Herpes infections can be annoying, but also life-threatening
Patients with severely weakened immune systems, for example after transplants, have particular difficulty keeping the viruses under control. This can lead to severe damage to various organs and even death. Herpes viruses can also cause serious infections in newborn babies. If an infection occurs during birth, the newborn's immature immune system comes into direct contact with the aggressive virus. This is life-threatening for the child.
Most people acquire herpes viruses in early childhood. After a single infection, the viruses remain in the body for life. Known human herpes viruses include the herpes simplex virus, which causes blisters in the mouth, as well as the pathogens that cause chickenpox, shingles and mononucleosis. They are also involved in the development of numerous cancers.
The funding is part of the new BMBF funding instrument for junior research groups in infection research in the clinical and application-oriented field (funding code: 01KI2017).
Contact:
Dr. Florian Full
Research Group Leader
Institute for Virology
Medical Center - University of Freiburg
florian.full@uniklinik-freiburg.de
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