Immune response to viruses: how does our body detect pathogens? [18.06.20]
Severe inflammatory reactions are often observed in diseases caused by the Coronavirus. In order to develop new therapeutics to control such life-threatening immune responses, it is necessary to better understand the molecular mechanisms of how certain proteins contribute to immune responses against bacteria and viruses.
Picture Credit: University of Hohenheim / Wolfram Scheible
Immunologist Thomas Kufer and his team investigate how the body detects pathogens and which molecular mechanisms regulate the detection and immune response against viruses and bacteria. In particular, he focuses on a family of proteins that play an important role in the immune response, i.e. Nod-like receptors (NLR). In humans, This protein family encompasses important receptors for viruses and bacteria, which act as regulators of the immune response, e.g. as the control of anti-viral Interferon responses.
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Thomas Kufer, Department Immunology, +49 711 459-24850, E-Mail
More about immunological research at the Kufer-Lab
