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3) Host directed antivirals

Schematic representation of the mode of action of cyclosporin A (CsA)

An essential part of our work in this project is the investigation of antiviral substances and their specific mechanism of action against highly pathogenic viruses. These are on the one hand immunosuppressive substances like cyclosporin A, which have been used for decades in the clinic after organ transplantation, and their non-immunosuppressive derivatives, both of which showed antiviral properties against different coronaviruses. We are investigating in detail how these compounds can inhibit the different viruses. For this purpose, primary human and murine cells or different ex vivo cell culture systems are used. Furthermore, we also analyze the efficacy of highly specific inhibitors against certain viral proteins and subsequently test them in vivo in the BSL-4 laboratory of the Institute of Virology.