Immune Ontogeny and Viral Infections

The associated research group Immune Ontogeny and Viral Infections headed by Prof. Dr. Madeleine Bunders (M.D./Ph.D.) is investigating mechanisms that underlie the increased susceptibility and pathogenesis of viral infections in children compared to adults. The studies of the group focus on adenovirus infections and HIV. Adenovirus infections in children undergoing hematopoetic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is one of the most severe complications of HSCT.

Aim of their research is to identify targets for the development of therapeutic approaches for adenovirus infections. Therefore, the group has developed novel human 3D organoid systems to study viral infections and infection control by immune cells in tissue.
Furthermore, they study the immune development in children born to women living with HIV. Thanks to antiretroviral medication, most children born to women living with HIV are not infected; however these children exposed to HIV can still suffer from increased risk of infections. The group investigates the development of the immune system in children exposed to HIV and the mechanisms underlying this increased susceptibility to infections.