Ebolavirus (EBOV), Marburgvirus (MARV) and Nipah virus (NiV), members of the order Mononegavirales, cause highly pathogenic diseases in man. These viruses recently emerged as human pathogens and demonstrate a potential for transmission to different animal hosts. Currently there is no vaccine or treatment available against these dangerous pathogens. Human-to-human transmission and the threat of intercontinental spread identify these infections as an important human health concern.
The main goal of our research program is to understand the molecular mechanisms leading to the high pathogenicity of Ebola, Marburg and Nipah viruses with particular emphasis on virus-host interactions during viral replication and mechanisms of viral emergence. The identification of cellular partners for the viral proteins and an understanding of the mechanisms viruses exploit to avoid different cell defence barriers as well as identification of the molecular basis of an excessive and inadequate host response to viral replication will bring to light novel information pertaining to viral pathogenesis and will ultimately lead to the development of novel antiviral drugs.

Key words: Filoviruses, Henipaviruses, reverse genetics, molecular epidemiology, virology