Team
Toni L. Meister
In October 2023, Toni started her research group "Molecular Virology of Emerging Viruses" at the IIRVD. The junior research group is funded by the German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF) in the research area Emerging Infections.
Toni Meister received her Bachelor of Science in Plant Biotechnology with a focus on molecular biological methods from Leibniz Universität Hannover in 2015. In 2017, she completed her Master of Science in Biomedicine at the Hannover Medical School.In 2021, she completed her PhD at the Department of Molecular and Medical Virology at the Ruhr University Bochum. Her doctoral research focused on viral and host determinants in the hepatitis E virus replication cycle. She has also contributed to various research projects on SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses. After completing her PhD, Toni Luise Meister worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the same department and further developed her expertise in virology across a wide range of viruses. Her work has been recognised on several occasions with the Best-Season Paper Award from the Society for Virology. She has also served as an expert in the development of guidelines for handling aerosol-transmitted pathogens and is a member of the Society for Virology (GfV) and Infect-Net.
Luis Hartmann
After graduating from nursing school in 2020, Luis Hartmann gained clinical experience in the emergency department and intensive care unit at Charité Berlin. In 2022 he spent three months in Uganda working as a volunteer nurse. That same year he started his medical studies at the Dresden University of Technology.
In October 2025, he joined the junior research group investigating the antiviral activity of different nucleotide analogs against yellow fever virus.
Topic: Antiviral activity of nucleotide analogs against yellow fever virus
Yellow fever virus (YFV) is a mosquito-borne RNA-virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family. It is endemic in tropical regions of South America sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the availability of a highly effective live-attenuated vaccine, yellow fever remains a significant public health problem due to low vaccination coverage in some regions and the risk of outbreaks. Currently there are no FDA- or EMA-approved direct antiviral agents (DAA) against YFV. This project focuses of evaluating the efficacy of selected nucleotide analogs in vitro, with the goal of identifying potential candidates for further (pre-)clinical development.
My Linh Ly
Master Student
My Linh is a medical laboratory technician with over 15 years of experience in laboratory science and clinical research. Ten years ago, she joined the lab of Prof. Addo as a lab manager. She has advanced expertise in techniques such as PCR, FACS, ELISpot and ELISA, as well as clinical trial coordination. She contributed to multiple research papers on infectious diseases including Ebola and MERS-CoV and holds certificates in GLP, GCP and genetic engineering project leadership. In 2024 she joined the junior research group for her master thesis in biomedical sciences.
Topic: Resistance of RSV to Nirsevimab and Palivizumab: Emergence of Escape Variants
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) remains a significant cause of severe respiratory illness, particularly in infants and immunocompromised individuals. Monoclonal antibodies, such as Nirsevimab and Palivizumab, have been developed to target RSV and reduce its morbidity and mortality. However, the efficacy of these interventions is challenged by the emergence of escape variants—viral strains with mutations that reduce the binding affinity of these antibodies, thereby diminishing their neutralizing capacity.
Escape variants arise due to selective pressure exerted by widespread use of monoclonal antibody therapies. These variants may carry mutations in the F protein, the primary target for both Nirsevimab and Palivizumab, altering key epitopes recognized by these antibodies. The identification and characterization of these escape variants are critical for understanding the limitations of current therapies and guiding the development of next-generation monoclonal antibodies or combination therapies.
Anna-Lena Rupp, M.Sc.
Anna-Lena is a PhD student with a background in biomedical science, holding a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Philipps University Marburg with a focus on infection biology.
During her undergraduate and graduate studies, her research focused on influenza virus activation by host cell proteases.
In 2025, she joined the junior research group investigating determinants of viral tropism and the innate immune response to emerging viral infections.
Her PhD project focuses on the hepatotropism of MPXV, investigating the molecular mechanisms of virus-host interactions with a particular focus on innate immune responses and the role of autophagy.
Topic: Hepatic Tropism and Innate Immune Responses across different MPXV Clades
Mpox virus (MPXV), a zoonotic orthopoxvirus closely related to variola virus, has received increased attention following recent outbreaks. It exhibits broad tissue tropism, with growing evidence suggesting that hepatic infection may contribute to disease severity. However, the mechanisms underlying its organ-specific replication and pathogenesis remain poorly understood. A key factor in controlling viral infections is the innate immune system, which serves as the first line of defense against invading pathogens. Many viruses, including MPXV, have evolved strategies to evade or subvert these responses. Another cellular process that is often targeted by viruses is autophagy, a conserved pathway essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis through the degradation of damaged components. During viral infection, autophagy can also degrade viral components and support antigen presentation, thereby bridging innate and adaptive immunity. A deeper understanding of these host-pathogen interactions within the liver could advance the development of targeted therapies against severe MPXV infection.
Lukas Daniel Sandoval Flores, B.Sc.
Technical assistant
Lukas is a biological technician and holds a bachelor of science in biology with over five years of professional experience in molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry research. He has contributed to multiple research projects focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of skeletal disorders and DNA damage repair. In 2024 he joined the junior research group investigating determinants of viral tropism.
Topic: Hepatotropism of MPXV: Implications for Viral Pathogenesis and Disease Outcomes
Mpox virus (MPXV), an orthopoxvirus closely related to variola virus, exhibits a broad tissue tropism, which is critical to understanding its pathogenesis and clinical manifestations. Among its potential targets, the liver has emerged as an organ of interest. Evidence from clinical observations and animal models suggests that MPXV can indeed infect the liver. Hepatic involvement in MPXV infection has clinical implications, as liver dysfunction can exacerbate systemic symptoms and complicate disease management. Understanding MPXV's tropism for the liver is crucial for developing targeted therapies, monitoring biomarkers of severe disease, and improving clinical outcomes.