Professorship for Immunology of Respiratory Tract Infections

Infections with seasonal influenza A and B viruses, commonly known as “the flu” can cause severe lung disease when the human innate immune response fails to control virus replication. Research of the Brunotte Lab focuses on the vibrant battle between virus and host. Using state of the art and novel methodology, we investigate the molecular weapons employed by respiratory RNA viruses to exploit and reprogram intracellular resources to enforce viral replication and the opposing multifaceted, complex antiviral defense mechanisms of the host. To this end, we dive deep into the processes of viral genome replication and host immunology.

For our research we apply and develop primary infection models of the human upper and lower respiratory tract to study organ-specific innate immune responses within the native and multicellular tissue environment. We specifically focus our work on the virus host interactions at the respiratory epithelium and the alveolar immune cell compartment using single cell technology in order to unravel the mechanisms that contribute to the development of critical immune responses and also affect the replication of viral and bacterial pathogens.

In addition to human adapted viruses, we are also interested in the molecular biology of zoonotic and highly pathogenic influenza viruses that circulate in wild birds and pose an increasing pandemic risk to humans. Here, we elucidate the viral mechanisms of immune activation that often lead to overshooting and uncontrollable cytokine responses, known as “cytokine storm” and cause sever multiorgan damage. Using reverse genetics and direct RNA sequencing, we aim to unravel viral or host factors that qualify as novel drug targets for antiviral or immune-modulatory treatments.

Finally, within the framework for pandemic preparedness, we develop new methods and employ our established primary respiratory tract infection models to enhance our understanding on the pathogenicity mechanisms and to improve the experimental toolbox for the risk assessment of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses.

We are open for applications for highly motivated bachelor and master students who are interested to study RNA viruses and the induced immune responses! Please send your written application and motivation letter via email to linda.brunotte@uni-giessen.de.