Research Unit Gene Vectors - Welcome!
Research at the Department of Gene Vectors is dedicated to the molecular analysis of a human herpesvirus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and the virus’ interaction with its host cell. EBV was the first human tumor virus to be discovered and is now classified as a group 1 carcinogen by the WHO.
EBV infects resting human B-lymphocytes and transforms them into B-cell lines that have the property to proliferate indefinitely in cell culture. This viral characteristics constitutes a tractable model system to study all steps of the process of cellular transformation in the test tube. This unique cell culture model of human diseases is the basis of our molecular research with aspects towards cell proliferation control, DNA replication, and signaling of cellular and viral receptor molecules.
Address
Research Unit Gene Vectors, Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health, Haematologikum,
Marchioninistrasse 25, D-81377 München, Germany
