Institute of Virology

Research focus

Our lab focuses on a detailed understanding of adenoviral replication strategies and manipulation of the host cell nuclear processes as a basis to further develop novel antiviral intervention therapies.
 
Human adenoviruses cause conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal illnesses and pneumonia, among other things. In most cases however an infection exhibits no symptoms or only mild symptoms in healthy adults. However, for individuals with immune system deficiencies the course of the infection can have serious effects or even be fatal. An infection is particularly dangerous for children following a stem cell transplant. In this case, we need to block virus replication and lower the mortality rate for infected patients.
 
We are investigating how the virus reproduces in the cell with a special focus on marked changes in what are called PML nuclear complexes made up of several proteins within the cell. These structures, which are round in the uninfected cell, dissolve after adenovirus infection and form elongated fibrils. This pathogenic process will be modulated and blocked to hinder the virus making use of this cellular manipulation for their own reproduction and benefit. Same strategies will be also validated for other human pathogenic viruses to develop broad spectrum intervention therapies.

Funding