German Center for Infection Research
The LIV is a founding member of the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF). Together with the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM), the Research Center Borstel (FZB), research groups from the University of Hamburg and the University of Lübeck, the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) and the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) it is a partner at the Hamburg–Lübeck–Borstel–Riems DZIF site.
The other DZIF sites are Hannover–Braunschweig, Cologne–Bonn, Giessen–Marburg–Langen, Heidelberg, Tübingen and Munich.
The LIV is actively involved in several Thematic Translational Units (TTUs) of the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF). These thematic research areas bring together expertise from multiple partner sites to translate findings from basic research into clinical applications ("bench to bedside").
Contact
German Center for Infection Research
Main Office of DZIF e.V.
Inhoffenstraße 7
38124 Braunschweig
Phone: 0531/6181-1152
Email: info@dzif.de
www.dzif.de
Spokesperson
for the Hamburg–Lübeck–Borstel–Riems site
Since the beginning of 2026
Prof. Dr. Marcus Altfeld serves
together with Prof. Dr. Nicole Fischer
as the spokesperson
for the Hamburg–Lübeck–Borstel–Riems
site of the German Center for
Infection Research (DZIF).
HIV
Within the DZIF Thematic Translational Unit HIV (TTU HIV), the LIV contributes to the following research projects:
Immune Responses to HIV
The human immune system is capable of effectively preventing and controlling many viral infections. While some viruses are neutralized or completely eliminated, others, such as HIV-1, persist in the body after infection. In people living with HIV-1, the immune response is generally insufficient to fully suppress viral replication, resulting in the progressive course of HIV disease. In addition, HIV-1 establishes a permanent viral reservoir in infected individuals, making lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) necessary.
Within the DZIF Thematic Translational Unit (TTU) HIV, Professor Dr. Marcus Altfeld's research group investigates how the immune system recognizes and eliminates HIV-1-infected cells and how antiviral immune responses can be enhanced to achieve immune control of HIV-1 infection without the need for ART.
LIV contact: Prof. Dr. Marcus Altfeld, Head of the Department of Virus Immunology
Eliminating the HIV Reservoir
The development of effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) has transformed the treatment of HIV. For people with access to therapy, HIV infection is now a chronic but manageable condition rather than a fatal disease. However, a cure remains elusive because HIV persists in long-lived cellular reservoirs.
The aim of this research is to investigate the mechanisms underlying HIV-1 persistence and latency to better understand and ultimately target the viral reservoir. Using innovative molecular, immunological, and genetic approaches, the team seeks to identify biomarkers and develop strategies to detect, reactivate, disarm and eliminate latently infected HIV-1 cells. These findings will be translated into clinical studies to support the development of novel curative strategies for HIV.
LIV contact: Dr. Dr. Ulrike Lange, Head of the Junior Research Group Genomics of Retroviral Infections
Infrastructure for Preclinical Infection Models and Clinical Tissue Analysis (PINCTA)
The PINCTA infrastructure combines preclinical infection models with state-of-the-art approaches for tissue analysis, providing a central platform for translational research. At the Hamburg site, PINCTA develops infection models (e.g. lymphoid tissue-derived organoids) to evaluate novel therapeutic approaches and makes these models available within the DZIF network as well as for industry collaborations.
In addition, PINCTA enables comprehensive analyses of tissue samples from preclinical studies and clinical cohorts using advanced molecular, sequencing-based, and imaging technologies. By closely integrating model development with clinical tissue analysis, PINCTA bridges a critical gap between preclinical drug development and clinical application.
LIV contacts: Prof. Dr. Adam Grundhoff, Head of Department, and Prof. Dr. Marcus Altfeld, Head of the Department of Virus Immunology
Modern Research Infrastructure
The High-Throughput Sequencing Technology Platform at LIV
contributes to several DZIF projects across
multiple DZIF sites and Translational Thematic Units (TTUs).
Infections in the Immunocompromised Host
Within the TTU Infections in the Immunocompromised Host, the LIV participates in the following projects:
Novel Pan-Herpesvirus Antivirals Targeting Phase-Separated Replication Compartments
Herpesvirus infections pose a significant threat, particularly to immunocompromised patients. As current antiviral therapies are often associated with side effects and the emergence of drug resistance, there is a need for novel antiviral agents with innovative mechanisms of action.
The aim of this project is to establish a high-throughput screening (HTS) assay to identify small-molecule compounds that modulate the properties of herpesvirus replication compartments (RCs). These biomolecular condensates are essential for viral replication and represent a novel target for antiviral therapies. As their formation is based on multiple weak molecular interactions, this approach is expected to be less prone to the development of resistance.
The project will enable the identification of novel broad-spectrum (pan-herpesvirus) antivirals. The established HTS workflow may also be applied to other DNA viruses in the future, opening new avenues for the development of antiviral therapies.
LIV contact: Prof. Dr. Wolfram Brune, Head of the Department of Virus–Host Interaction
Collaborative project with: Prof. Dr. Jens Bosse, Centre for Structural Systems Biology and Hannover Medical School
Expanding 3D Infection Model Capacities for Antiviral Drug Testing
For many opportunistic viruses, including herpesviruses, polyomaviruses and adenoviruses, suitable animal models that accurately reflect human infection are lacking.
The aim of this project is to further develop human organoid, tissue, and complex cell culture models as preclinical infection platforms and to establish them for the evaluation of novel antiviral compounds. These models are complemented by state-of-the-art analytical approaches, including high-resolution microscopy, single-cell transcriptomics and RNA/DNA hybridization technologies.
The participating partners combine their expertise in organoid research, infection biology and omics technologies to establish powerful research infrastructures for the development of novel antiviral therapies while reducing the need for animal experiments.
LIV contact: Prof. Dr. Adam Grundhoff, Head of the Virus Genomics Research Group
Collaborative project with: Prof. Dr. Nicole Fischer, Director of the Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene at the UKE
Hit-to-Lead Development of a BKPyV Inhibitor – Comprehensive Cytotoxicity and Antiviral Efficacy Studies
Despite its clinical relevance, there is currently no specific antiviral therapy available for BK polyomavirus (BKPyV). In immunosuppressed transplant recipients, viral reactivation can lead to severe complications, including allograft dysfunction and ultimately graft loss.
The aim of this project is to elucidate the mechanism of action of a previously identified, highly potent BKPyV inhibitor and to characterize its preclinical safety profile. To this end, its antiviral activity against a panel of DNA and RNA viruses will be evaluated to define its antiviral spectrum and assess potential cellular effects.
A particular focus of the project is the implementation of comprehensive cytotoxicity assays to evaluate potential adverse effects on host cells. The insights gained will provide the foundation for the further optimization and preclinical development of this promising antiviral lead compound.
LIV contact: Prof. Dr. Adam Grundhoff, Head of the Virus Genomics Research Group
Collaborative project with: Prof. Dr. Nicole Fischer, Director of the Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene at the UKE
Supporting Research Careers of Early-Career Physicians
The LIV is also involved in the DZIF's Clinical Leave Program and MD/PhD program with a number of scholarships.
Contact
German Center for Infection Research
Main Office of DZIF e.V.
Inhoffenstraße 7
38124 Braunschweig
Phone: 0531/6181-1152
Email: info@dzif.de
www.dzif.de
