Host condensates in kidney organoids.
© Christiane Brause
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Biomolecular Condensates in Infection

Bacterial and Viral Pathogens
HZI Campus
Junior group
Research group of the HZI

Viruses are composed of only a few core building blocks, yet they manage to take over host cells and cause devastating diseases. They do this by employing the simple physicochemical process of condensation throughout their replication cycle to form concentrated droplets of biomolecules, efficiently producing new virions, hiding from the immune system and sequestering host factors important for viral replication. The central theme of the research group “Biomolecular Condensates in Infection” (BCON) is to combine fundamental research on biomolecular condensates in virology with the development of innovative antivirals.

Dr Christiane Brause

Head

Dr Christiane Brause
Research Group Leader
+49 531 6181-3450

Our Research

Overview of viral and host condensates in infected cells.
© Brause
Overview of viral and host condensates in infected cells.

Our research focuses on the role of biomolecular condensates in pathogen-host interactions, with a long-term goal of developing innovative antivirals. Condensates, comprising biological polymers like nucleic acids and proteins, form concentrated droplets within cells through a process known as phase separation. Recent studies emphasize their importance in viral replication, capsid assembly, packaging, and immune evasion. While host cells use condensates as part of their defense, viruses often exploit or deactivate these structures to facilitate infection. Given the relevance and ubiquitous use of biomolecular condensates in viral replication, they represent promising targets for antivirals.

Furthermore, viruses exhibit remarkable mutation rates and adaptability, leading to resistance against existing antivirals. Consequently, novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Addressing multi-component condensates, rather than individual drug targets, could thus be an effective way to reduce viral resistance to treatments, particularly when host condensates are involved. 

Potential mechanisms of drugs targeting viral condensates.
© Brause
Potential mechanisms of drugs targeting viral condensates.

The central theme of our lab is to combine fundamental research on biomolecular condensates in virology with drug discovery. We combine advanced imaging, biochemical, and innovative organoid techniques to study fundamental principles of host-viral interactions. Once drug targets have been identified, we employ high-throughput and automation techniques for compound screening in close collaboration with chemists at HZI.

Two pillars of research:

  1. Fundamental Research: Investigate host-viral condensate interactions using simple in vitro and more complex organoid models.
  2. Drug Discovery: Discover viral and host condensates as potential drug targets.

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