Viral Transformation

The Research Department of Viral Transformation, headed by Prof. Dr. Thomas Dobner, deals with various aspects of the biology of human adenoviruses, in particular with fundamental questions concerning the control of the productive infection cycle and adenovirus-mediated cell transformation.

The common goal of this work is to identify general and superordinate strategies of viral replication and oncogenesis and to understand them at the molecular level. Analogous research concepts in this area currently occupy a central position worldwide, as they create the basis for new approaches in tumor therapy and in the development of antiviral agents. Against this background and based on the results of our basic research, antiviral target structures and small molecule inhibitors are being developed for the treatment of adenovirus infections in immunocompromised individuals.