Dr. med. Stephan Halle, PhD
Institute of Immunology, OE 5240
I11-02-1120
Phone: +49 511 532 9729
E-Mail: Halle.Stephan@mh-hannover.de
Research Focus
During childhood, we experience numerous episodes of viral infections. Children with an intact immune system usually make a full recovery. In contrast, in immunodeficient children or adults, otherwise harmless virus infections can cause severe diseases. But how exactly can the immune system protect us from virus-related diseases? Do T cells or natural killer (NK) cells play a role, and if yes, which cell population is more important? What are the mechanisms involved? How efficiently do individual immune cells protect their host? To address these questions we are using in vivo infection models to better understand the mechanisms of antiviral immunity. To visualize virus-infected cells and immune cells at the same time, in vivo, in virus-infected tissues, we apply 2-photon microscopy and virus infection models (Figure). We are working in close collaboration with different virologists, to better understand in vivo dynamics of antiviral immunity (see projects and collaboration partners).
