Visualising reovirus infection in polarised epithelium: From touchdown to antiviral innate immune response (14)

• Subject Area: Virology
• Term: from 2014 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 240245660

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) constitute the primary barrier for enteric pathogens. This project aims at achieving a comprehensive characterization of host/pathogen interactions by integrating, at the single cell level, the intrinsic innate immune response by IECs within the physiological crypt/villi axis organization of the intestinal epithelium. In collaboration with Höfer and Lusic, we will perform a comprehensive characterization of the functional differ-ences of type I and III IFNs in primary IECs. Together with Dao Thi and Kräusslich, using human organoids, we will address how IECs mediate an asymmetric immune response and characterize the importance of autocrine and/or paracrine signals in the protection of cells during pathogen spread within a tissue-like environment.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1129: Integrative Analysis of Pathogen – Replication and Spread
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Steeve Boulant, until 12/2021; Professor Dr. Hans-Georg Kräusslich, from 1/2022 until 6/2022