Laboratory for Virus Research

The Laboratorium for Virus Research is concerned with the elucidation of mechanisms of disease development (pathogenesis) of viral diseases and of interactions between viruses and their host cells. Hepatitis A virus infection serves as a model system (for an overview, see Dotzauer 2021), as it is suitable for studying both general viral and virus-specific principles of pathogenesis as well as of viral replication. Despite the availability of vaccines, hepatitis A virus infections are among the most common infectious diseases, with several tens of millions of infections per year, some of which are taking a very severe course. A specific therapy for this very heterogeneous infectious disease does not exist, since important details of the virus/host interactions are not known.

Current research focuses on studies of the multifunctionality of viral non-structural proteins, using hepatitis A virus (HAV) as an example, and on the entry mechanism of HAV into host cells.

Previous research work is presented in the publications and theses sections.

The teaching is integrated in the biology bachelor program with focus on "Molecular Biosciences" and in the master programs "Biochemistry and Molecular Biology" and "Marine Microbiology". To date, 72 diploma theses, 37 bachelor theses, 9 master theses and 17 doctoral theses have been carried out at the Laboratory for Virus Research and its predecessor institute.

The Laboratory of Virus Research offers the whole range of virological and immunological working techniques. S2 and S3 laboratories are available, which are equipped with devices for all common molecular biological and virological methods.

Contact

Prof. Dr. Andreas Dotzauer

Laboratorium für Virusforschung
Leobener Straße / UFT
D-28359 Bremen

Tel.: +49-(0)421-218-63396

E-Mail: dotzauerprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de