Institute of Virology

According to national¹ and international classifications^2,3, pathogens of the risk group 3 comprise highly pathogenic agents for which, in contrast to risk group 4 pathogens, protective or therapeutic countermeasures are available. These include e.g., HIV, Mykobacterium tuberculosis, SARS-CoV-2, highly pathogenic Influenza-A-Virus (H5N1) and the Mpox-Virus (MPXV). Yet, risk group 3 pathogens, which are often of zoonotic origin, pose a considerable threat to the experimenter as well as to the community and live-stock.

In order to diagnose and investigate these agents, the Department of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene provides two biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) cell culture laboratory units as well as a BSL-3 experimental animal unit. Work under BSL-3 conditions is performed by specially trained scientific and technical personnel.

Amongst others, the equipment of the BSL-3 units allows for the following tasks:

• Diagnosis of risk group 3 pathogens and subsequent treatment of patients based thereupon.

• Molecular characterization and research on risk group 3 pathogens in cell culture.

• Characterization of immune responses triggered by risk group 3 pathogens and the pathogenesis of these agents in vivo.

• Analysis of antiviral therapeutics and vaccine candidates.

Current research projects in the BSL-3 units are supported by the following institutions:

Coordinator:

Dr. rer. nat. Peter Reuther

Research teams

Institute for Virology

Prof. Dr. Sabrina Schreiner-Gruber

Prof. Dr. Martin Schwemmle

Prof. Dr. Georg Kochs

Dr. rer. nat. Peter Reuther

Dr. rer. nat. Kevin Ciminski

Institute for Microbiology and Hygiene

Prof. Dr. Georg Häcker

¹Technische Regeln für Biologische Arbeitsstoffe, TRBA 462 –Einstufung von Viren in Risikogruppen

²Directive 2000/54/EC of the European parliament and of the council

³WHO Laboratory Biosafety Manual, 3rd edition (2004)