Torben Knuschke
Master of Biological Sciences (M.Sc.), University of Duisburg-Essen, 2009
Development and testing of new strategies to overcome chronic persistent infection
Pathogens have developed mechanisms to manipulate the regulatory network of the host’s immune system to their advantage, thereby generating conditions that ensure their survival for an extended period of time. To develop new therapeutic strategies to overcome chronic persistent infection we will use nanoparticle-based delivery of viral antigen together with activation signals for dendritic cells (DCs), with the aim of selective uptake, activation and subsequent presentation of viral antigens to DCs that are optimally capable on inducing effective antiviral immunity in vitro and in vivo. Once a protocol has been established to break tolerance, we will translate this protocol to a more physiological model for chronic persistent viral infection which is based on the oncogenic Friend retrovirus. 1st supervisor: Prof. Dr. Astrid Westendorf Institute: Telephone: +49 (0)201 - 723 - 3069 |