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
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
Weitere Informationen
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.
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