with Prof. Dr. Christian Sieben, Research Group Leader “Nano Infection Biology” at Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)
Podcast: InFact - Der HZI-Podcast. Wissenschaft, die ansteckt.
Erschienen: 23.07.2026
Dauer: 00:23:59
At first glance, mucus sounds more unpleasant than essential. In fact, it forms an important protective layer on our mucous membranes: It transports dirt, bacteria, and viruses out of the body and makes it difficult for pathogens to penetrate our cells in the first place. Nanoinfection biologist Prof. Christian Sieben is studying this crucial moment in an infection in great detail. He heads the Nanoinfection Biology research group at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and is a professor at the Technische Universität Braunschweig. Using state-of-the-art microscopy, he observes individual virus particles and investigates how they interact with our cells. In this episode of InFact, host Julia Demann talks with him about how respiratory viruses overcome our natural barriers, why influenza viruses in particular have significant pandemic potential—and how knowledge about viruses, cells, and mucus can help develop new vaccines and medications.
Weitere Informationen und umfangreichere Shownotes gibt es ggf. auf der Podcast-Website.
Podcast-Website: Episode "How mucus protects against infections"
