Prof. Dr. Oliver T. Keppler (1968-2026)
02.02.2026
Prof. Dr. med. Oliver T. Keppler (03.01.1968 – 27.01.2026)
The Gene Center mourns the loss of our highly esteemed and dear colleague Oliver Keppler, Chair of Virology at LMU, who passed away on January 27, 2026. Our deepest sympathy goes to his family and to all those who were close to him.
Oliver Keppler had held the Chair of Virology at LMU Munich at the Max von Pettenkofer Institute since 2015 and was a globally recognized expert in medical virology, with a particular focus on retroviruses and HIV. He grew up in Freiburg im Breisgau, studied medicine in Freiburg and Heidelberg, and began his scientific career with a doctoral thesis in virology at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg under the supervision of Nobel laureate Harald zur Hausen and Michael Pawlita.
His academic career included a three-year research stay in Mark Goldsmith’s laboratory at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he first worked extensively on HIV and developed a transgenic rat model that was subsequently further optimized in Heidelberg to investigate virus–host interactions and restriction factors, resulting in publications in leading scientific journals.
In 2012, Oliver Keppler accepted the Chair of Virology at Goethe University Frankfurt, where he advanced research on SAMHD1 in cancer, including acute myeloid leukemia, and established the National Reference Center for Retroviruses. From 2015 onward at LMU Munich, he initiated and implemented a comprehensive modernization of the diagnostic laboratories, including the new diagnostics building at the Max von Pettenkofer Institute on the Großhadern campus. Scientifically, he continued his work on restriction factors such as SERINC and on the targeted manipulation of primary immune cells to gain important insights into virus–host interactions, particularly CD32-mediated trogocytosis leading to increased HIV infection of resting T cells. Through his expertise, he made a major contribution to the development of the HIV research focus within the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF).
With the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, Oliver Keppler demonstrated his full potential as a virologist through tireless efforts in patient care, public communication, and research. He provided important public guidance and advised policymakers, particularly at the Bavarian State Ministry of Health. As spokesperson for the Bay-VOC consortium project, he initiated a surveillance program for variant monitoring in cooperation with the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL), enabling real-time tracking of variants such as Delta and Omicron. He also contributed his expertise to numerous collaborative research projects on high-affinity neutralizing antibodies.. These studies advanced vaccine and booster strategies as well as pandemic modeling and highlighted his exceptional ability to translate basic research into clinical application. In recognition of his efforts during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, he was awarded the Bavarian Order of Merit in 2022.
Oliver Keppler was a physician and virologist through and through. He was as enthusiastic about fundamental research and the development of molecular methods as he was about modern diagnostics, prevention, and therapy of viral diseases of all kinds. He consistently supported his entire team in both diagnostics and research and fostered each individual with great appreciation. To his many students, doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and group leaders, he was a knowledgeable, critical, and motivating mentor and advocate. Several independent scientists emerged from his academic school, some of whom now hold their own professorships. I personally (MM) recall Oliver’s enthusiasm for discussing our joint research projects during my time in his laboratory. His keen curiosity often led him to call in the evening at the very moment new data emerged, eagerly inquiring about the results. This infectious passion for science inspired his students and everyone privileged to work with him.
Having started around the same time at LMU in 2015, Oliver and I (VH) quickly felt like close companions in navigating bureaucratic and administrative hurdles, while also enjoying the excitement of setting up new research groups in Munich. As we had already collaborated during his time in Heidelberg and Frankfurt, our shared interest in HIV-1 recognition in immune cells naturally grew into a close collaboration and led to the establishment of new methodologies that proved instrumental for many projects emerging from our labs. I remember Oliver as an extraordinarily sharp and highly inquisitive mind, and as an exceptionally reliable collaboration partner. When things needed to be done, they were done. One vivid memory is our persistent pursuit of an unexpected observation that emerged serendipitously in the lab. This investigation unfolded like a scientific detective story, and we were still actively working on it until recently, a testament to his lasting curiosity and dedication. Beyond his scientific brilliance, Oliver was someone I always enjoyed being around. He was valued for his broad perspective, his openness, and his ability to put others at ease, not least through his sense of humor.
Oliver Keppler received numerous scientific honors, including the AIDS Research Prize of the German Society for Infectious Diseases, the Löffler–Frosch Prize of the Society for Virology, the Wolfgang Stille Prize of the Paul Ehrlich Society for Chemotherapy, the Heinz Ansmann Prize for AIDS Research, the AIDS Research Prize of the H.W. & J. Hector Foundation, and the Rolf Becker Prize.
Oliver Keppler was a joyful person with wide-ranging scientific, cultural, political, and sporting interests. Fly-fishing in the mountains was a particularly cherished leisure activity for the entire family. His family was always his most important anchor, and they are in our deepest thoughts and sympathy. Oliver Keppler will be deeply missed. We will honor his memory.
Karl-Peter Hopfner
Veit Hornung
Max Muenchhoff
Barbara Adler
Munich, February 3rd 2026