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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

📸 This image was taken at the DEFENDER International Symposium at @leibnizliv.bsky.social in Hamburg.

DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

🎉 Celebrating our postdocs! 🎉 This week is #PostdocAppreciationWeek — a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the researchers whose expertise, curiosity, and commitment advance knowledge and strengthen research in DEFENDER and beyond. A big shoutout to all DEFENDER postdocs...!

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

In DEFENDER, their team is leading the screen to identify dengue virus entry receptors in hepatocytes. Highlight publications: doi.org/10.15252/emb... doi.org/10.1007/978-... doi.org/10.1002/jmv....

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

They tackle these questions using multidisciplinary approaches ranging from structural to cell biology and in vivo models. Their long-term research areas focus on the flavivirus NS1 protein secreted in extracellular fluids and the RVFV NSm protein that colonizes the mitochondrial network.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

🚀 DEFENDER partner spotlight: the Flamand-lab: The Viral Virulence Factors group within the Rey Lab at the @institutpasteur.bsky.social works on elucidating the role of accessory proteins in the pathogenesis of viral hemorrhagic fevers.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Recent highlight papers: doi.org/10.1038/s442... doi.org/10.1093/bioa... doi.org/10.1111/bjh....

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

In the DEFENDER project, the Kaderali group is contributing to the analysis and integration of CRISPR screening datasets generated by consortium partners. They also develop computational and machine learning approaches to identify shared molecular and host-response patterns across emerging viruses.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

A core focus is the integration of heterogeneous, high-dimensional datasets with statistical and AI methods to derive biological insights and translate these into clinically relevant applications.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

The group develops computational approaches to investigate biological mechanisms and identify relevant patterns across diverse molecular and clinical datasets, including transcriptomics, spatial transcriptomics, metagenomics, and epidemiological data.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

DEFENDER partner spotlight: the Kaderali lab. The Kaderali group (wordpress.kaderali.org) focuses on computational and AI-based methods for the analysis and integration of complex biomedical data, combining expertise in bioinformatics, computer science, mathematics, and statistical modelling.

wordpress.kaderali.org

The Kaderali Lab

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Recent highlight papers: doi.org/10.64898/202... doi.org/10.1038/s415... doi.org/10.1038/s415...

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Within the consortium, the team is applying its capabilities to engineer soluble, standalone protein scaffolds that faithfully recapitulate native epitopes, decoupling immunogen design from native viral context and enabling focused, reproducible antibody responses.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

In the DEFENDER project, the Correia Lab is contributing computational protein design of solubilized immunogens.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

A central theme is using structure-based design to engineer proteins with precise functional properties, from rational vaccine design that aims to induce neutralizing antibodies against specific epitopes, to novel small-molecule responsive protein switches for synthetic biology.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

The Correia Lab at EPFL focuses on developing computational tools for protein design and immunoengineering, integrating method development with the experimental characterization of designed proteins.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

A great event yesterday celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Leibniz Association’s European Office in Brussels! 🎉 We were delighted to present @DEFENDER consortium. Thank you @leibniz-gemeinschaft.de for hosting, and to all DEFENDER partners for their continued commitment to our shared mission!

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Some publications from the Maisner lab on Nipah virus-host interactions: doi.org/10.1128/jvi.... doi.org/10.3390/v150... doi.org/10.1093/infd...

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

In addition, he is characterizing nanobodies developed within the DEFENDER consortium that target the Nipah virus fusion protein, with the goal of finding new ways to specifically block key virus-host interaction sites during viral attachment and/or fusion.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Within DEFENDER, Nico Becker is conducting a CRISPR-based screening to identify novel host dependency and restriction factors involved in Nipah virus entry into host cells.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Using state-of-the art virological approaches and high-resolution imaging technologies, the team generates fundamental molecular insights providing a basis for the development of antiviral strategies against fatal Nipah virus disease.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

DEFENDER partner spotlight: the Maisner lab: At the Institute of Virology in Marburg, the Maisner Lab is dedicated to advancing our understanding of the cell biology of highly pathogenic Nipah virus.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Recent highlight papers: doi.org/10.1136/egas... doi.org/10.64898/202... doi.org/10.1016/j.ti...

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Within DEFENDER, Birthe Ehlert, Yannick Brüggemann, and Nicola Frericks generated Cas9-expressing hepatocyte cell lines and are currently performing an arrayed whole-genome CRISPR-Cas9 screen using yellow fever virus and hepatitis E virus to identify novel host factors.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Their current research is centered on HEV, YFV, and HAV. Additionally, they are committed to identifying novel antiviral therapy options targeting these viruses, studying the development of resistance-associated viral variants, and investigating intra-host viral population dynamics in patients.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

DEFENDER partner spotlight: the Steinmann lab The Steinmann lab in the Molecular and Medical Virology (MMV) department at @ruhr-uni-bochum.de primarily focuses on the interplay between viruses and host cells, with particular emphasis on understanding the cell entry mechanisms of various viruses.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Recent highlight papers: doi.org/10.1038/s414... doi.org/10.1038/s415... doi.org/10.1038/s415...

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

We also provide training in high-throughput screening by offering to young scientists from the DEFENDER labs short-term residencies in our institute.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

The Aguzzi lab serves as the central hub for CRISPR reagents required across the consortium’s screens. According to the partners’ needs, we prepare CRISPR plasmids as well as precisely titrated lentiviral vectors and provide just-in-time shipments to the participating laboratories.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

ISAB is a research institute dedicated to understanding brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases; our lab focuses on neurodegeneration and cellular mechanisms of brain damage using methods of genetic perturbation.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

DEFENDER partner spotlight: the Aguzzi-lab: The Aguzzi lab is located at the Institute for the Science of the Aging Brain (#ISAB) in St. Gallen.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Great discussions and inspiring science throughout — looking forward to seeing these projects continue to develop. Keep up the excellent momentum and exciting progress! 🚀 👏

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Sandrine Georgeon shared exciting experimental data on computationally improved LASV immunogens and mutations with the potential to improve both yield and antigen presentation… very promising work strong potential for future translational and therapeutic applications.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Great DEFENDER Seminar today with two highly engaging and insightful talks! Birthe Ehlert presented their approach to a comprehensive genome-wide CRISPR screen on HEV, providing valuable insights and takeaways that will be highly relevant for many of the other DEFENDER screening efforts.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Recent work from the lab includes studies on SARS-CoV-2 and virus–host interactions: • doi.org/10.1111/liv.... • doi.org/10.1073/pnas... • doi.org/10.1128/mbio...

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

The DEFENDER consortium as a whole is coordinated by Luca Bertzbach together with the group leader Stephanie Pfänder @pfaenderlab.bsky.social.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Within DEFENDER, Wing Hang Ip and Tina Meyer are performing a Zika virus screen to identify novel virus entry factors, including attachment factors and proteins involved in endosomal uptake and viral genome uncoating.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Through these models, we investigate virus–host interactions, with a particular focus on host dependency and restriction factors, while also connecting basic molecular virology to clinically relevant research questions.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Partner spotlight: the @pfaenderlab.bsky.social-lab: Our group at the @leibnizliv.bsky.social focuses on understanding how emerging viruses interact with host cells by using advanced cellular model systems, including three-dimensional organoids that better reflect the complexity of native tissues.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

The DEFENDER Seminar took place yesterday again, featuring two excellent talks from Victoria Taylor (on the establishment and optimization of a DENV CRISPR screen) 🦟🦠 and Suman Khan (on the characterization of NiV entry using cryo-EM) 🔬 It’s great to see these projects progressing. Keep it up! 🚀

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Great news from the DEFENDER network 👏 Congrats to our coordinator and @leibnizliv.bsky.social PI Stephanie Pfänder @pfaenderlab.bsky.social on her official start as W3 Professor this month at the @uni-hamburg.de, supported by the @leibniz-gemeinschaft.de Programme for Women Professors.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

👉 Establishment of CRISPR screening workflows for Lassa virus by Helena Müller-Kräuter. Excited to see where the next seminars take us. Keep it up! 👏

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Yesterday we hosted the second session of the DEFENDER PhD/Postdoc Seminar Series... and it was a fantastic dive into cutting-edge screening science 🚀 We had two great talks: 👉 Quality control and analysis of arrayed CRISPR screen results by Adriano Aguzzi.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

👉 Your leadership, expertise, and dedication are driving scientific progress and inspiring the next generation of women in science. Thank you for what you do. 👏 🚀 #WomenInSTEM #InternationalDayofWomenandGirlsinScience #Virology

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

So today, we’d like to acknowledge the female DEFENDER PIs @alexkupke.bsky.social , Andrea Maisner, @goffinetlab.bsky.social, @lisa-oestereich.bsky.social, Marie Flamand, and @pfaenderlab.bsky.social, and recognize their contributions to virology and beyond.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

February 11 marks the *International Day of Women and Girls in Science*, highlighting the importance of equal participation in STEM. 🔬 🦠

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Congratulations to Alex from the DEFENDER consortium on receiving funding for her research on Nipah virus infection. Her research sheds critical light on how this highly dangerous virus enters the CNS, spreads, and shapes immune responses using advanced cell and tissue models.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

In this context, our EU-funded DEFENDER consortium is contributing to Nipah virus research by systematically mapping vulnerable virus-host interaction sites through integrated host- and virus-focused approaches, laying the groundwork for next-gen antivirals and immunogens targeting emerging viruses.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Thankfully, all have remained asymptomatic and tested negative, with no further cases detected so far. This is good news, but also a clear lesson…. And a reminder that effective outbreak containment depends not only on rapid response, but on sustained scientific investment before crises emerge.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Following the confirmation of infection in two nurses, health authorities at both central and state levels moved quickly: expanding surveillance, strengthening laboratory testing, and conducting detailed field investigations. Nearly 200 close contacts were identified, traced, and monitored.

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DEFENDER @defender-project.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Recent reports from West Bengal remind us why Nipah virus research and surveillance cannot be reactive, it has to be continuous.

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