Research at the institute
The institute's research concentrates on HBV- and HIV-host interactions and the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
Two research groups study chronic viral hepatitis, which often leads to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. By unravelling cell-autonomous, as well as systemic innate and adaptive host immune responses, the Protzer group studies how hepatitis B virus manages to establish often life long infection and contributes to liver disease and cancer. Studies in mouse models and primary as well as permanent cell cultures will help to define novel therapeutic targets and to establish immunotherapeutic approaches. The Bruss group focuses on the molecular biology of HBV with special emphasis on virus maturation.
A second research focus is retroviral persistence in humans with particular emphasis on virus-cell interactions involved in HIV persistence and HIV-associated encephalopathies. The Brack-Werner group investigates cellular mechanisms of HIV control and cellular functions modified by HIV persistence and their impact on chronic diseases. Since human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are integral parts of the genome, the Leib-Mösch group studies their contribution to disease pathogenesis and their interactions with external pathogens. The knowledge gained from these studies contributes to the development of new preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic concepts for the control of human retroviral infections.
A third research focus is the immunology of modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA), which is used as a vaccine vector for infectious diseases and cancer. The Drexler group dissects basic requirements for the efficient induction and maintenance of MVA-mediated immunity in animal models and in clinical studies. This will offer new approaches for viral vector design and target antigen formulations with improved efficacy and will be used to develop optimized MVA-based preventive and therapeutic vaccine strategies. Within the framework of the EU-project „AVIP“ (AIDS Vaccine Integrated Project) new combined vaccines are investigated for HIV prevention and therapy based on a first clinical trial with an MVA-HIV-nef vaccine. This trial is escorted by the Immunomonitoring group.