Experimental Virology

Viruses are vehicles that transport biological information and reprogram the functions of human, animal or plant cells in order to replicate. They are very small and usually have a very simple structure. Enveloped viruses consist only of a layer of proteins filled with genetic material and surrounded by a thin shell of lipids in which viral proteins are embedded. Nevertheless, viral pathogens such as HIV or hepatitis C virus (HCV) threaten the health of millions of people. In addition to HCV, important human pathogens in the group of the RNA viruses include respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the current COVID-19 pandemic.

In our institute three research groups are working on hepatitis viruses (HCV, HEV), RSV and since 2020 also SARS-CoV-2. We combine molecular and cell biological approaches with bioinformatics and computational methods to understand viral replication mechanisms and to develop new therapeutic and preventive measures.