Prof. Dr. Cornel Fraefel

Area of Research

Description of Research Interest

The effect of an infectious agent on health and disease is likely influenced by its diverse interactions with other infectious agents claiming the same host or host cell. In other words, disease potential is dependent on interactions between numerous different pathogens and the host’s defense mechanisms. Understanding these interactions may help to better predict the outcome of disease, improve treatment, and identify novel therapeutic strategies. Our group investigates general concepts, molecular pathways, and implications of virus-virus interactions in the co-infected host, using the complex and competitive relationship between adeno-associated virus (AAV) and its helper viruses as a model. The knowledge gained from these studies may be applied also to investigate more complex biosocial processes of disease, for example on the level of an infected host.
Our group engages also in the development and use of viruses for applications in Gene Therapy and Vaccination.

Special Expertise

Live cell analysis of virus replication

Member of Collaborative/interdisciplinary Research Consortia

Network Infection and Immunity