Cooperations
External Fundings
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation)
The DFG is the central self-governing research funding organisation in Germany. The DFG serves the sciences and humanities and promotes research of the highest quality in all its forms and disciplines at universities and non-university research institutions. The focus is on funding projects developed by the academic community itself in the area of knowledge-driven research.
The DFG funds research projects, creates competitive opportunities and conducts procedures for the review, evaluation, selection and decision of research proposals. It helps shape the overall conditions and standards of academic research. The DFG maintains dialogue with society, politics and business and supports the transfer of knowledge. It advises state institutions and institutions working in the public interest on issues relating to academic research and research policy.
FOR5200 DEEP-DV: "Disrupt – Evade – Exploit Control of Gene Expression and Host Response by DNA Viruses"
The DEEP-DV consortium investigates dedicated strategies of DNA viruses replicating in the nucleus, which they use to disrupt, evade, or exploit the gene expression networks of host cells to pave the way for lytic, abortive, or persistent infection. DEEP-DV brings together scientists with strong expertise in the fields of virology, molecular biology, and cutting-edge analytical methods, such as omics-scale sequencing technologies, RNA proteomics, single-cell technologies, and bioinformatics.
Nicole Fischer is a member of the research group's spokesperson team and leads project P04 " Alteration of viral gene expression and replication patterns by host responses during early infection with human polyomaviruses ".
Information and Contact
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Website: FOR5200 Deep-DV
Silvia Albertini and Lisann Röpke (P04)
Research Training Group 2771 "Humans and Microbes: Reorganization of Cell Compartments and Molecular Complexes during Infection"
The DFG-funded Research Training Group 2771 investigates how human pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and parasites utilize, modulate, or suppress large molecular host-pathogen complexes and membrane transport in host cells. The goal of the RTG is to convey a fundamental understanding of host-pathogen interactions at the molecular level to the next generation of scientists, thus paving the way for new treatment strategies against bacterial, viral, and parasitic infectious diseases. In this context, the results of the "Humans and Microbes" projects will provide the scientific community with in-depth molecular principles of unique pathogen properties and enable a systematic and detailed analysis of the similarities and differences in pathogen infection strategies.
Nicole Fischer is the leader of project P07 " Investigation of the BK virus life cycle and antiviral mechanisms of BKV-specific inhibitors in human primary cells and kidney organoids ".
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Clara Husser (P07) and Ute Westerkamp (1st funding period)
Research Training Group GRK2887 "Visualization and Imaging of Viral Infections" (VISION)
The focus of the DFG-funded Research Training Group GRK2887 is to train a new generation of virologists in the use of state-of-the-art imaging techniques and thus establish an integrative structural virology approach to better understand the complexity of mechanisms and biological functions during viral infections. To achieve this goal, a research program has been developed based on three main biological areas of interest:
A. Protein-protein interactions during virus assembly
B. Viral and cellular proteins in their lipid environment
C. Molecular switches in the viral life cycle
Nicole Fischer is the leader of project C02 " Characterization of the structural and molecular mechanism how Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) Large T-antigen tumor hallmark mutations occur ."
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Tommaso Mari (C02)
Collaborative Research Center SFB1648 "Emerging Viruses"
The Collaborative Research Center 1648 aims to address gaps in knowledge for fighting emerging viral infections. This is achieved by studying the causes, characteristics and responses to viral infections. Advanced techniques are being used to understand how viruses and the body interact.
The consortium will dissect key aspects of both immune defence and immune pathology, addressing open research questions in vaccine design that can be translated to other emerging viruses and inform research and clinical strategy for intervention against future outbreaks.
Nicole Fischer leads project D02 " Metagenomics in emerging viral infections – integrating non-host and host transcriptional responses ."
Information and Contact
German Center for Infection Research (DZIF)
Problems in infection research demand decisive action: Chronic infections, increasing numbers of immunocompromised patients in an ageing society, the global spread of antibiotic resistance and emerging viruses are among the major challenges in infectiology today. The DZIF's infection research activities are strategically focused on addressing these challenges.
To this end, the DZIF has brought together the expertise of over 700 researchers from 35 member institutions and from a wide range of disciplines, including medicine, biology, epidemiology, chemistry and bioinformatics.
Nicole Fischer is actively involved in several projects within the DZIF Research Area Infections of the Immunocompromised Host . Further she is part of the Coordination Team of the Bridging Topic Diagnostics .
The DZIF is one of the six German Centers for Health Research (DZG) .