institute of virology (viro)

Research at the Institute

Viruses are important environmental risk factors to which humans are exposed. The Institute of Virology investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind the persistence and propagation of viruses that cause chronic infections and the potential of these viruses to cause diseases in humans. We hereby focus on hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses and how they cause liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma, on human endogenous retroviruses and their disease associations and on the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS.

In addition, we dissect the immune response to viruses in mouse models and humans to develop novel immunotherapeutic strategies. The junior research group studies how virus-associated inflammation is maintained and how it induces tissue damage and cancer. The clinical cooperation group translates these immunotherapies into the clinics and an immunomonitoring group was established to escort clinical trials. For immuno- and gene therapies, we use modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) and adenoviral vectors and adoptively transfer selectively enriched and receptor modified T cells.

On the basis of results obtained in molecular studies, we develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic concepts, use viruses as therapeutic tools and create strategies that are intended to prevent viral diseases or tumor development. Elaborate and unique cell culture and mouse models as well as archived human samples allow us to determine the molecular pathways involved in disease pathogenesis. In recent years we have established molecular diagnostics and immune monitoring of viral infections at the highest international standard. In addition, powerful assay systems have been developed to test novel antivirals for HIV and HBV, to determine viral fitness and resistance against antivirals and to quantify pathogen-specific immune responses.

To translate basic science findings into prevention and therapy of viral diseases, we join our forces with the Institute of Virology at the Technische Universität München and closely collaborate with its university hospital „Rechts der Isar“.

Working groups

1. Retrovirus cell interaction and pathogenic potential   
    Head: Ruth Brack-Werner   
    Senior investigator: Christine Leib-Moesch

2. Viral vector vaccines for prophylaxis and immunotherapy   
    Head: Ingo Drexler

4. Helmholtz Alliance Translational Immunotherapy, Immunomonitoring
    Head: Ulrike Protzer
    Co-investigator: Martin Sprinzl, Tanja Bauer

5. Junior Research Group Inflammation Induced Tissue Damage
    Head: Mathias Heikenwälder

6. Clinical Cooperation Group Antigen-specific Immunotherapy
    Head: Dirk Busch
    Principal investigators: Dirk Busch, Ingo Drexler, Angela Krackhardt