Göttinger Graduiertenzentrum für Neurowissenschaften, Biophysik und Molekulare Biowissenschaften

Pöhlmann, Stefan, Prof. Dr.

Professor, Head of the Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center


  • 2000: Ph.D., Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
  • 2000-2003: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Pennsylvania
  • 2003-2007: Head of a SFB Junior Research Group, Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg
  • 2007-2010: Professor for Experimental Virology, Hannover Medical School
  • 2010: Professor for Infection Biology at Georg-August-University Göttingen (Brückenprofessur) and Head of the Infection Biology Unit of the German Primate Center



Major Research Interests
Influenza viruses pose a global health threat. These viruses constantly change and therapeutics may thus cease to be effective. Therefore, we seek to develop novel influenza therapies. One focus of our work is on the host cell protease TMPRSS2 since we obtained evidence that influenza viruses depend on this enzyme for acquisition of infectivity. Moreover, we are investigating how defective interfering particles (DIPs) can be developed as novel therapeutics.
Emerging viruses may cause severe disease. Outbreaks frequently occur abroad but the agents can be imported into Germany via infected travelers. We are investigating how emerging viruses interact with host cells and cause disease. Our focus in on lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, Ebola virus and SARS coronavirus. One aim of our research is to develop cell culture systems that allow predicting transmissibility and thus pandemic potential of emerging viruses.
Another focus of our research is on primate herpesviruses. The transmission of herpes B virus from macaques to humans can cause serve disease while closely related viruses seem to be apathogenic in humans. We are investigating which viral and host factors determine whether infection will result in severe disease. Moreover, we are developing diagnostics for herpesvirus infections of non-human primates.

Homepage Department/Research Group
https://www.dpz.eu/en/infection-biology

ORCID: 0000-0001-6086-9136