Research Group Bojkova

Prof. Dr.rer.nat Denisa Bojkova

Expertise:
Emerging RNA and DNA viruses | 2D/3D cell models | Antiviral therapy  

Publications:
A full and up-to-date list of publications can be accessed via PubMed

Online profiles:
ORCID | LinkedIn | ResearchGate | GoogleScholar

Aims

Emerging and re-emerging viral infections remain a major global health threat. Availability of broad antiviral strategies able to clear viral infections as well as to resolve underlying inflammatory response and tissue damage presents an opportunity to effectively control disease burden during current and future viral epidemics. Thereby, the overarching goal of our research is to develop innovative therapeutic strategies against a broad range of RNA and DNA viruses. To achieve that, we seek to gain deeper understanding of how host cells respond to viral infection and how viral infections cause tissue damage. 

We study virus-host interphase in a wide range of cellular models with different levels of complexity and organ specificity, from easily modifiable 2D/3D cell lines (reporter, si/shRNA, single/dual KO, spheroids) up to ex vivo human tissue. Furthermore, we have established platform based on high-content imaging/enzymatic assay for rapid drug screenings against a wide range of viruses. 
 

Methods

Selected methods:

  • Isolation, culturing and characterization of viruses
  • Cell culture (2D/3D, cell lines/primary cells/ex vivo human tissue, barrier function assays)
  • Antiviral testing – screening, dose-response testing, time of addition, drug combinations, enzymatic assays for wide range of viruses (SARS-CoV-1/2, MERS-CoV, IAV H1N1/H3N2/H5N1, WNV, ZIKV, EV68, EV71, MPOX, AdV, HCMV, HSV1/2). 
  • Drug target validation, toxicity and barrier to resistance studies
  • Cell metabolism (Seahorse XFe96)
  • Immune response (qRT-PCR, WB, IF, FACS, reporter cells)
  • Co-infection/Super-infection assays
  • Co-cultures (epithelial cells/PBMCs)

Please contact the individual researchers (► Members tab) for methods that are not listed in this overview. 

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Research fellows

Doctoral candidates

Joshua Kandler
Tel.: +49 69 / 6301-86241
eMail: Joshua.Kandler@unimedizin-ffm.de

Ask me about:
Immune response | Monocytes/Macrophages | Co-cultures | Coronaviruses | GRK 2336: “Resolution of inflammation” 

Emma Torbica
Tel.: +49 69 / 6301-86241
eMail: emma.torbica@unimedizin-ffm.de

Ask me about:
ALI cultures | Drug resistance | Coronaviruses | CoroPan

Technical assistance

•    Lena Stegmann; Virology, Molecular Biology

Alumni

  • Annika Eby Pfeiffer, MD student, Virus isolation, Antiviral therapy, Coronaviruses
  • Leona Panosch, MD student, Immune response, Antiviral therapy, Enteroviruses, GRK 2336: “Resolution of inflammation"
  • Ann-Chi Yu, Master student, Cell metabolism, Coronaviruses

Projects

  • GRK 2336 “Resolution of inflammation”. Project: SARS-CoV-2 infections in monocytes/macrophages: inflammatory patterns and resolution of inflammation. Funded by DFG
  • CoroPan: Human and zoonotic coronaviruses: conserved targets for new therapeutic options in future pandemics. Project: Activation of coronaviruses by host proteases: Resistance development, tissue tropism and host adaptation. Funded by HMWK.
  • Omicron variants: insight to SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity. Selected by Medical Faculty, Goethe University Frankfurt, Funded by Heinrich und Fritz Riese-Stiftung.

Weitere Informationen

Recent publications:

  • Bojkova D, Bechtel M, Rothenburger T, Kandler JD, Hayes L, Olmer R, Martin U, Jonigk D, Ciesek S, Wass MN, Michaelis M, Cinatl J Jr. Omicron-induced interferon signaling prevents influenza A H1N1 and H5N1 virus infection. J Med Virol. 2023
  • Bojkova D, Zöller N, Tietgen M, Steinhorst K, Bechtel M, Rothenburger T, Kandler JD, Schneider J, Corman VM, Ciesek S, Rabenau HF, Wass MN, Kippenberger S, Göttig S, Michaelis M, Cinatl J Jr. Repurposing of the antibiotic nitroxoline for the treatment of mpox. J Med Virol. 2023 
  • Carius P, Jungmann A, Bechtel M, Grißmer A, Boese A, Gasparoni G, Salhab A, Seipelt R, Urbschat K, Richter C, Meier C, Bojkova D, Cinatl J, Walter J, Schneider-Daum N, Lehr CM. A Monoclonal Human Alveolar Epithelial Cell Line ("Arlo") with Pronounced Barrier Function for Studying Drug Permeability and Viral Infections. Adv Sci (Weinh). 2023 
  • Bojkova D, Reus P, Panosch L, Bechtel M, Rothenburger T, Kandler JD, Pfeiffer A, Wagner JUG, Shumliakivska M, Dimmeler S, Olmer R, Martin U, Vondran FWR, Toptan T, Rothweiler F, Zehner R, Rabenau HF, Osman KL, Pullan ST, Carroll MW, Stack R, Ciesek S, Wass MN, Michaelis M, Cinatl J Jr. Identification of novel antiviral drug candidates using an optimized SARS-CoV-2 phenotypic screening platform. iScience. 2023
  • Bojkova D, Bechtel M, Rothenburger T, Steinhorst K, Zöller N, Kippenberger S, Schneider J, Corman MV, Uri H, Wass MN, Knecht G, Khaykin P, Wolf T, Ciesek S, Rabenau H, Michaelis M, Cinatl J Jr. Drug sensitivity of currently circulating monkeypox viruses. N Engl J Med. 2022.

High impact:

  • Bojkova D, Bechtel M, Rothenburger T, Steinhorst K, Zöller N, Kippenberger S, Schneider J, Corman MV, Uri H, Wass MN, Knecht G, Khaykin P, Wolf T, Ciesek S, Rabenau H, Michaelis M, Cinatl J Jr. Drug sensitivity of currently circulating monkeypox viruses. N Engl J Med. 2022
  • Bojkova D, Rothenburger T, Ciesek S, Wass MN, Michaelis M, Cinatl J Jr. SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant virus isolates are highly sensitive to interferon treatment. Cell Discov. 2022
  • Bojkova D, Widera M, Ciesek S, Wass MN, Michaelis M, Cinatl J Jr. Reduced interferon antagonism but similar drug sensitivity in Omicron variant compared to Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 isolates. Cell Res. 2022
  • Bojkova D*, Wagner JUG*, Shumliakivska M*, Aslan GS*, Saleem U, Hansen A, Luxán G, Günther S, Pham MD, Krishnan J, Harter PN, Ermel UH, Frangakis AS, Milting H, Zeiher AM, Klingel K, Cinatl J, Dendorfer A, Eschenhagen T, Tschöpe C, Ciesek S, Dimmeler S. SARS-CoV-2 infects and induces cytotoxic effects in human cardiomyocytes. Cardiovasc Res. 2020
  • Bojkova D*, Klann K*, Koch B*, Widera M, Krause D, Ciesek S, Cinatl J, Münch C. Proteomics of SARS-CoV-2-infected host cells reveals therapy targets. Nature. 2020

*contributed equally

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Bachelor and Master Theses

If you are interested in writing your Bachelor or Master Thesis at our research group, please contact Denisa Bojkova (Denisa.bojkova@unimedizin-ffm.de). Please make sure to include your CV and a short letter of motivation explaining why you would like to work here, what you would like to work on and which experience or knowledge you may already have. 

Doctorate and postdoctorate positions

Are you a doctorate or postdoctorate applicant with existing funds? We are looking forward to receiving your application by email to Denisa Bojkova (Denisa.bojkova@unimedizin-ffm.de). Please make sure to include your CV, a short letter of motivation and details on your funding.