How do new viruses enter host cells?
New viruses pose an increasing threat to human health. Through the use of natural resources, global travel, and climate change, more and more new viruses are reaching human populations. These viruses are often transmitted from animals to humans and can cause serious diseases, a phenomenon known as zoonosis. Non-human primates (NHP) can transmit new viruses to humans and serve as models for researching new therapies and vaccines.
We are studying how new viruses enter host cells, cause disease, and how this process can be prevented. One focus of our work is on new coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2, and these studies are described here. We are also interested in other emerging viruses, such as the Ebola virus, which poses a threat to both humans and NHPs. Dr. Markus Hoffmann is researching how Ebola viruses infect cells and protect themselves against the immune system.
Selected Publications
- Groß R, Reßin H, von Maltitz P, Albers D, Schneider L, Bley H, Hoffmann M, Cortese M, Gupta D, Deniz M, Choi JY, Jansen J, Preußer C, Seehafer K, Pöhlmann S, Voelker DR, Goffinet C, Pogge-von Strandmann E, Bunz U, Bartenschlager R, El Andaloussi S, Sparrer KMJ, Herker E, Becker S, Kirchhoff F, Münch J, Müller JA.
Phosphatidylserine-exposing extracellular vesicles in body fluids are an innate defence against apoptotic mimicry viral pathogens. Nat Microbiol. 2024 Apr;9(4):905-921.
- Hoffmann M, Kaufmann SV, Fischer C, Maurer W, Moldenhauer AS, Pöhlmann S.
Analysis of Resistance of Ebola Virus Glycoprotein-Driven Entry Against MDL28170, An Inhibitor of Cysteine Cathepsins. Pathogens. 2019 Oct 15;8(4):192.
- Hoffmann M, Nehlmeier I, Brinkmann C, Krähling V, Behner L, Moldenhauer AS, Krüger N, Nehls J, Schindler M, Hoenen T, Maisner A, Becker S, Pöhlmann S.
Tetherin Inhibits Nipah Virus but Not Ebola Virus Replication in Fruit Bat Cells. J Virol. 2019 Jan 17;93(3):e01821-18.
