The research group of Prof. Münz at the Institute of Experimental Immunology is interested in the immune control of persistent viral infections, with a focus on the oncogenic Epstein Barr virus (EBV). Herein, the function of Natural Killer (NK) cells as well as CD4+ T cells and CD8+ memory T cells are investigated to understand which components of the immune system are essential for immune control in healthy EBV carriers and how they could be activated for resistance against other persistent infections and against tumors. 

Another main interest of the lab is macroautophagy, a catabolic pathway that destines cytoplasmic constituents for lysosomal degradation. Antigen processing by macroautophagy delivers intracellular antigens for MHC class II presentation to CD4+ T cells. The group aims to unravel how this pathway is regulated and if it can be used for the improvement of vaccines.