The research of our group is focused on viruses that are transmitted to humans by an insect vector (arthropod-borne viruses). We mainly work on orthoflaviviruses and alphaviruses. Using reverse genetic systems as major tools, we elucidate special functions of viral proteins in the viral life cycle. In addition, we perform antiviral compound testing against different arboviruses and are involved in vaccine studies focusing on the analyses of the adaptive immune response.
The group also deals with host cell antiviral proteins and examines virus-host interactions with the emphasis to analyze the interplay of the virus with the innate immune system, and to define determinants important for host range restriction. Analyses are performed both in vertebrate and insect cell systems as well as in living mosquitoes. For mosquitoes, we are especially interested to elucidate mechanisms involved in sensing of foreign RNA resulting in activation of the mosquito immune system.
