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DFG funds research project by virologist Dr. Kevin Ciminski / Claude Hannoun Award additionally recognizes work / Research into the interaction between influenza viruses and immune cells

A research project on the immune system's reactions to influenza viruses at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg is currently receiving double the attention: the German Research Foundation (DFG) is funding the work of Dr. Kevin Ciminski, junior research group leader at the Institute for Virology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, with around 2 million euros in the Emmy Noether Program. As part of the MAC'n FLU project, he and his team are investigating how influenza A viruses interact with immune cells and how these initial defense reactions influence the further course of the disease. In addition, Ciminski was awarded the Claude Hannoun Award of the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza (ESWI) on October 23, 2025, which recognizes his scientific contributions to influenza research with an additional 10,000 euros.

"I am very pleased about this funding and the additional award," says Ciminski. "Both are great recognition for the dedicated work of the entire team and for the fact that our research is also recognized internationally."

How early immune responses influence the course of the disease

The funded work focuses on the interaction between influenza A viruses and macrophages. These immune cells come into contact with the virus in the lungs at a very early stage, recognize pathogens and control the body's subsequent immune responses. The researchers are analyzing how different influenza viruses alter these early processes and why some virus variants trigger stronger inflammatory reactions than others. The aim is to better understand which early processes contribute to severe disease progression and to find out how these can potentially be prevented.

Funding and award

The DFG's Emmy Noether Program enables outstanding young researchers to establish an independent research group at an early stage and to pursue their own scientific profile in the long term.

The Claude Hannoun Award of the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza is presented to researchers whose work makes a significant contribution to the understanding of influenza.

Image 1: Dr. Kevin Ciminski receives the Claude Hannoun Award of the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza (ESWI) in Valencia.

Image 2: Dr. Kevin Ciminski, junior research group leader at the Institute for Virology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg

Image source: Medical Center - University of Freiburg