Boris Bogdanow

Viral infections are complex processes that extend beyond the mere presence of viral genomes in infected cells. They are characterized by dynamic events in which viral proteins interact specifically with cellular proteins to facilitate viral replication, the assembly of new viral particles, and immune evasion. Our research focuses on the system-wide elucidation of these interaction networks and their structural analysis at the level of individual interactions.

Our long-term goal is to develop a detailed and comprehensive picture of virus–host protein–protein interactions in the context of viral evolution and adaptation to humans. We focus on viruses of public health relevance, including influenza A viruses (IAV), coronaviruses (CoV), and monkeypox virus (MPXV). To investigate these complex processes, we combine state-of-the-art methods such as structural and quantitative proteomics and structural modeling with physiologically relevant human and animal cell culture systems.

In close collaboration with research groups at the FMP and the Institute of Virology at Charité in Berlin, where our work is primarily based, we seek to expand our findings and methods and make them broadly applicable. We hope that the knowledge gained will contribute to a better understanding of the molecular causes of past pandemics and help effectively prevent future outbreaks originating from animal reservoirs.