Our research focuses on innate immunity and the molecular mechanisms underlying the recognition of viral infections. A major emphasis of our work is on pattern recognition pathways and how cells detect viral nucleic acids and specific RNA structures. We are particularly interested in the interaction between host immune responses and hepatitis B and hepatitis D viruses, including the mechanisms viruses use to evade immune recognition. In addition, we study the regulation of antiviral signaling pathways and investigate how cellular structures and compartments contribute to the regulation and coordination of innate immune responses. Another important focus of our group is the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in antiviral immunity and intercellular communication. We are particularly interested in their biomarker potential and in the development of methods to better characterize their functions and relevance in virus-host interactions.

Overall, our work combines virology, innate immunity, RNA biology, and extracellular vesicle research to better understand the complex interplay between viruses and the host immune system. Find out more about our research and our team on the next pages.