The DEEP-DV Research Unit (RU)
Understanding How DNA Viruses Reprogram Host Cells
This DFG-funded Research Unit (RU) unites experts in molecular biology, virology, and bioinformatics to uncover how nuclear DNA viruses reshape host gene expression at the very early stage of infection. Using state-of-the-art experimental and bioinformatic approaches, we compare virus–host interactions across major DNA virus families, including herpesviruses, adenoviruses, and polyomaviruses.
Two Research Areas – One Shared Goal
Our work is organized into two tightly connected research areas, addressing complementary aspects of early DNA virus infection:
- Research Area 1 focuses on how viral and host genes are activated immediately after infection and which molecular processes determine successful establishment of infection (P01, P02, P03, P04, Z01).
- Research Area 2 investigates how viral genomes are controlled by chromatin regulation, repressor complexes, and nuclear organization with the goal to identify key molecular switches governing viral silencing, activation, and replication (P05, P07, P08, P10, Z01).
Together, these research areas allow us to identify common principles and virus-specific strategies of different DNA viruses to manipulate host cells and establish infections.
The DEEP-DV Atlas: A Central Resource
At the heart of the consortium is the DEEP-DV Atlas, a comprehensive and harmonized single-cell transcriptional atlas of DNA virus infection. This resource captures viral and host gene expression dynamics over time during lytic infection.
By applying standardized experimental and sequencing protocols as well as bioinformatic analysis across all projects, the DEEP-DV Atlas enables direct comparisons between viruses and provides a powerful foundation for discovery.
Why This Matters
Understanding how DNA viruses reprogram host cells in the earliest phases of infection is essential for:
- revealing fundamental principles of virus–host interactions
- identifying shared vulnerabilities across virus families
- laying the groundwork for the development of novel antiviral strategies
Through close collaboration and data integration, the DEEP-DV consortium delivers a systems-level view of nuclear DNA virus infection, advancing both basic research and translational perspectives.