How mucus protects against infections: HZI podcast "InFact" with Prof. Christian Sieben

In this episode of InFact, host Julia Demann talks with Prof. Christian Sieben about how respiratory viruses overcome our natural barriers, why influenza viruses in particular have significant pandemic potential, and how knowledge about viruses, cells, and mucus can help develop new vaccines and medications. At first glance, mucus sounds more unpleasant than essential. In fact, it forms an important protective layer on our mucous membranes: It transports dirt, bacteria, and viruses out of the body and makes it difficult for pathogens to penetrate our cells in the first place. Nanoinfection biologist Prof. Christian Sieben is studying this crucial moment in an infection in great detail. He heads the research group "Nano Infection Biology" at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and is a professor at the Technische Universität Braunschweig. Using state-of-the-art microscopy, he observes individual virus particles and investigates how they interact with our cells. At the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, scientists investigate the mechanisms of infectious diseases and their defenses. We systematically develop the results of basic research towards medical applications. The scientific questions we work on include: What turns bacteria or viruses into pathogens? Why are some people particularly susceptible and others resistant to infections? How can we intervene in infection processes? How do we transfer our findings to application in humans? To clarify such questions, we are investigating pathogens that are medically relevant or that can be used as models for research into infections. Understanding these mechanisms will contribute to combating infectious diseases with new drugs and vaccines. AIMS The Centre's mission is to contribute to overcoming the challenges that infectious diseases pose to medicine and society in the 21st century. The HZI has defined its research priorities in the Infection Research Program. The program places particular emphasis on the transfer of research results into application, on individualized infection medicine and the application of information and data technologies for infection research. If you would like to find out more about the HZI, take a look at www.helmholtz-hzi.de/en! ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/helmholtzhzi... ► Instagram:   / helmholtz_hzi   ► LinkedIn:   / helmholtz-centre-for-infection-research   ► Facebook:   / helmholtz.hzi