Leibniz Virologie Lecture 2026 
with Prof. Dr. Haller

The Leibniz Virology Lecture is the annual highlight of our institute, honoring internationally outstanding scientists in virology.

As part of the event, the laureate presents their current research and offers exciting insights into modern virology. A special highlight is the graphic recording, which visually accompanies the lecture in real time.

Prof. Otto Haller, M.D.
Medical Centre - University of Freiburg

Prof. Dr. Otto Haller is an internationally leading virologist and a pioneer in research on antiviral innate immunity. He served for many years as Director of the Institute of Virology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg and has been Professor Emeritus there since 2012. Since 2018, he has also been a Visiting Professor at the Institute of Molecular Life Sciences (IMLS) at the University of Zurich.

Prof. Haller has made seminal contributions to the study of interferon-mediated antiviral defense mechanisms. His research focuses on innate immunity—particularly the mechanisms that protect cells against viral infections—and on virology, with a special emphasis on interferon-induced proteins (e.g., the MxA protein). His work on the function of interferon-induced proteins represents a milestone at the interface of virology and immunology and has led to significant advances in our understanding of antiviral defense.

After completing his medical studies and scientific training, he established an internationally recognized research program in molecular virology and host–virus interactions in Freiburg. For his outstanding scientific achievements, he has received numerous awards, including the Robert Koch Medal in Gold in 2025 for his lifetime achievements, and is a member of several prestigious scientific academies.

Lecture title: Host Gene Control of Influenza Virus and Transspecies Transmission

Date: June 30, 2026, 3pm

Venue: Ferdinand-Bergen-Auditorium, Leibniz-Institut für Virologie (N63), Martinistraße 52, 20251 Hamburg

Admission: The event is free of charge. Please register via the online registration form by 1 June 2026. Kindly note that places are limited. If the number of participants exceeds 100, a live stream will additionally be offered in a separate room