SARS-Cov-2 is a respiratory virus responsible for COVID-19 infections that can be severe or even fatal. Peculiar to SARS-Cov-2, compared to other coronaviruses, is its tendency to lead to blood clotting defects, which are involved in the major causes of severe COVID-19 complications (like microthrombosis,... click to read more

Expression of a correct set of genes at the right time is crucial for cells to maintain their cell-type specific function. Epigenetic cell memory supports maintenance of such gene expression programs, with specific chromatin states regulating which genes to express or to keep silent. Chromatin... click to read more

About 38 million people live with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) worldwide and hopes for a significant reduction of new transmissions have only partially materialized. In contrast to other infectious diseases that can be readily cured with short-term antimicrobial treatment, HIV-1 infection remains incurable and requires... click to read more

Human evolution is like a tightrope walker with viruses – in a delicate balance. Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), once part of ancient retroviral infections, are now permanently fixed in our genome. Most of them, including human ERVs (HERVs), like landmines buried in the past, accumulate mutations... click to read more

Our body is constantly guarded by our immune system, which defends us from external threats like viruses and bacteria, and even internal rogue cells that can become cancerous. Antibodies, which are special proteins in our bodies, play a key role in this defence. They work... click to read more