Institut für Virologie

Viruses infect humans and animals, but also plants and even bacteria. They may cause diseases, but may also be „silent” parasites. Infections may be transient but may also persist life-long and even be come inheritable. But viruses are not only „unwanted” companions, they also serve as therapeutic tools in gene therapy and biotechnology and as research tools in modern molecular and cell biology. Virology is an interdisciplinary topic. This, the rapid spread of viruses and the fact that new viral diseases emerge all over the world is responsible for the fact that we all are very well aware of them.

The Institute of Virology is responsible for the diagnostics of viral diseases for our clinical partners at the Klinikum Rechts der Isar and for the education of students in medicine and biomedical sciences at the TUM. Our research focuses on pathogenic human viruses such as hepatitis viruses, HIV, poxviruses or SARS and on prions. We study molecular details of their replication cycles, but also host-pathogen interactions and their role in viral diseases. For this, we closely collaborate with the Institute of Virology at the Helmholtz Zentrum München and with the Klinikum Rechts der Isar.

On the following pages, we want to introduce you to the Institute and our work and want to share our enthusiasm for Virology!