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The DFG is funding two research groups in Freiburg focusing on heart function and adenoviruses—opening up new avenues for cardiology, infectious disease research, and treatment safety

Starting July 1, 2026, the German Research Foundation (DFG) will provide a total of 11.4 million euros in funding over four years to two new research groups led by scientists from Freiburg. Funding was approved for Research Group FOR6051, “The Interstitium—A Key to Heart Function,” and Research Group FOR5898, “AdBHealth,” which focuses on adenovirus research, with 5.7 million euros each. Both projects investigate fundamental biological processes with the aim of deriving concrete approaches for medical practice: FOR6051 focuses on the role of the tissue between heart muscle cells in heart function and potential approaches to maintaining cardiac output. FOR5898 investigates adenoviruses to more precisely determine their significance for diseases as well as for patient safety.

“The fact that the DFG has approved two new research groups under Freiburg leadership is an outstanding success and a strong sign of the excellence of our research,” says Prof. Dr. Lutz Hein, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine – University of Freiburg. “The topics range from central mechanisms of heart function to viruses that are relevant to diseases as well as to modern vaccines and gene therapies.”

Tissue between cells has received little research attention to date

Research Group FOR6051 is investigating the heart’s interstitium—that is, the tissue between heart muscle cells. This tissue has received significantly less attention in research to date than heart muscle cells, blood vessels, or the nervous system. Yet it connects cells, vessels, and nerves and shapes how the heart functions electrically and mechanically. The researchers aim to investigate the role the interstitium plays in heart function and how this can lead to new approaches for maintaining cardiac output—for example, following a heart attack. 

“The tissue between heart muscle cells is far more important for the heart’s function than previously assumed. We want to understand how it connects heart muscle cells, blood vessels, and the nervous system, thereby helping to shape heart function. This should generate new insights for cardiac medicine,” says Prof. Dr. Peter Kohl, spokesperson for the research group and director of the Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg. “I am particularly pleased that our research project has so clearly convinced the independent reviewers appointed by the DFG. They consider our approach innovative and believe it has the potential to fundamentally transform heart research. Furthermore, the reviewers rated all subprojects of the research group as being among the best in the world.”

Adenoviruses in the Focus of Infection Research and Medicine

The FOR5898 “AdBHealth” research group focuses on adenoviruses. These viruses can trigger respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases and cause severe illness in immunocompromised patients. At the same time, they are used in modern medicine as delivery systems for vaccines and gene therapies. Despite this dual significance, many fundamental properties of adenoviruses are not yet fully understood. The Freiburg research group therefore aims to investigate how adenoviruses enter cells, replicate, and how the immune system and blood components react to them. To this end, the scientists use modern 3D tissue models that realistically replicate human airways and mucous membranes.

“Adenoviruses are important to us for two reasons: as potential pathogens and as tools in medicine. Our goal is to understand their interactions with the body in such detail that this leads to both new approaches to fighting infections and safer applications for vaccines and gene therapies,” says Prof. Dr. Sabrina Schreiner, spokesperson for the research group and professor at the Institute for Virology at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg. 

Cross-site collaboration

Numerous partner sites are involved in both research groups. In FOR6051, 16 scientists from Freiburg collaborate with partners from Berlin, Karlsruhe, Göttingen, Würzburg, and the Saarland. In the “AdBHealth” network, researchers from Freiburg, Witten, Leipzig, Essen, Hanover, Hamburg, Lübeck, and Greifswald contribute their expertise. The close collaboration is intended to ensure that findings from basic research are rapidly translated into clinical applications.