Transplantation Virology
Actually our research projects in the field of transplantation virology focus especially on human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections, which are still a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, especially after lung transplantation. We are specifically interested in the genetic diversity between HCMV strains and in the different replication kinetics of co-infecting HCMV strain populations after lung transplantation. Furthermore, we analyse HCMV associated immune reactions, as HCMV specific AB production and maturation, patterns of chemokine responses and development of HCMV specific cellular immunity, in general, and also in the transplanted lung.
In addition, we now focus on the question whether the virus load of commensal viruses, especially of Torque Teno Viruses, can be used as a surrogate marker to demonstrate the individual levels of immunosuppression after transplantation.