Keppler Lab - Research
The Keppler laboratory investigates fundamental principles of virus-host interactions, in particular for the pandemic pathogens HIV and SARS-CoV-2, as well as specific mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapy in different malignancies. Using state-of-the-art technology and primary model systems, we seek to unravel the immunodestruction induced by HIV and the ability of the virus to infect and establish latency in resting CD4 T cells. In the fight against SARS-CoV-2, we are testing novel antiviral approaches and aiming to identify drugable cellular pathways by genetic and high-throughput screening approaches. At the interface of virology and oncology we are studying the SAMHD1-dependent resistance to nucleoside analog-based chemotherapy and developing SAMHD1-targeted strategies to expand therapeutic options for hard-to-cure hematological and solid tumors.