GRK 2485:  Virus detection, pathogenesis and intervention (VIPER)

• Subject Area: Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine ; Microbiology, Virology and Immunology
• Term: since 2019
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 398066876

The Research Training Group (RTG) ‘Virus detection, pathogenesis and intervention’ (VIPER) focuses on training of next generation scientists to ensure that they will be capable of managing complex health issues caused by viral diseases. An effective mentorship for early career scientists represents an essential part of VIPER. Following the three pillars: (i) virus discovery, host range and transmission, (ii) virus-host cell interactions and pathogenesis, and (iii) immune interference and intervention strategies, 32 research projects covering these research fields in a multidisciplinary way have been designed. During the first funding period, the scientific program and the VIPER-specific training have been successfully established. Furthermore, the RTG programme was integrated into existing postgraduate PhD programs of the Hannover Graduate School for Neurosciences, Infection Medicine, and Veterinary Sciences (HGNI) of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (TiHo). The initial research profile of VIPER was developed further to strengthen the focus on host-pathogens interactions and generation of disease intervention strategies in the second funding period. Specifically, enhanced attention was paid to studies related to SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity and intervention strategies, training for working under biosafety level-3 conditions, as well as lectures and hands-on training on biosafety, biosecurity and biodiversity. Additional teaching, training and research projects that promote the use of 3R principles to improve the welfare of animals used in research, represents another new contribution within VIPER. The consortium combines the scientific expertise of the Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses and Departments of Virology, Pathology, Parasitology, Animal Breeding and Genetics, and Biochemistry as well as the Clinic for Poultry and Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research at the TiHo with the excellence of the TWINCORE in Hanover. The Leibniz Institute of Virology Hamburg, the Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, and the Ruhr University Bochum have been included as partners to provide additional training and access to other cutting-edge technologies. The synergistic collaborations between these institutions enable scientific excellence by the design of frontier research projects that will lead to doctoral degrees. The training programme incorporates five bi-annual en-block schools, training courses and visits to other VIPER and collaborating partner institutes, an international symposium and a 2nd year project. These training modules are supplemented by the Graduate School Day and courses offered by the HGNI and external programs. The updated concept and composition of VIPER will further ensure excellent science and enables the trainees to develop a holistic understanding of viral diseases, be prepared for challenges in epi- and pandemic preparedness and for the development of intervention strategies.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover
• Participating Institution: Leibniz-Institut für Virologie (LIV); Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München; Ruhr-Universität Bochum; TWINCORE; Zentrum für Experimentelle und Klinische Infektionsforschung GmbH
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Andreas Beineke
• Participating Researchers: Professor Wolfgang Baumgärtner, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Paul Becher; Professorin Dr. Stefanie Christine Becker; Professorin Dr. Gülsah Gabriel; Professorin Dr. Gisa Gerold; Professor Dr. Klaus Jung; Professor Dr. Ulrich Kalinke; Privatdozent Martin Ludlow, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Albert Osterhaus; Professorin Silke Rautenschlein, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Guus Rimmelzwaan; Professorin Dr. Ursula Siebert; Dr. Imke Steffen; Professor Dr. Eike Steinmann; Professor Dr. Gerd Sutter (†); Professorin Dr. Asisa Volz