The 2nd Ulm-Tübingen Virology Meeting took place on Monday, January 13, 2025, in the Multimedia Room of the Life Science (N27) building. Continuing the series started in 2024, when virologists from Ulm presented their work at the Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases at the University of Tübingen, this year’s meeting was organized by the Institute of Molecular Virology at Ulm University. 

The symposium brought together young scientists and leading virology experts from the universities of Ulm and Tübingen. The meeting featured 15 presentations on topics that ranged from innovative antiviral strategies to the complex interplay between viruses and host immune systems. Researchers presented their latest scientific findings and exchanged ideas for new collaborations. From Ulm’s side, Prof. Kirchhoff, Münch and Sparrer presented an overview of the cutting-edge virology research performed at the Institute of Institute Molecular Virology and within the CRC 1279, while junior group leaders and young scientists talked about their work on utilizing CRISPR/Cas9-based traitor-virus system to identify new antiviral restriction factors, evasion of innate immune responses by HIV-1 and HIV-2 viruses and therapeutic targeting of virus-infected cells by VSV-based pseudoparticles. Meanwhile, the guests from Tübingen presented their work on newly identified HIV dependency factors and viral accessory protein targets, new HIV latency reactivating compounds, activation of endogenous retroelements during HIV infection and the impact of antiviral proteins on placental development. 

In addition, as a part of the CRC 1279 seminar series, we hosted two keynote speakers from the University of Tübingen. Prof. Zinaida Klestova, a visiting professor from the State Scientific Control Institute of Biotechnology in Kyiv, presented her work on nanocompound with anti-coronavirus activity. Prof. Daniel Sauter, who leads a research group on the mechanisms of innate antiviral immunity at the University of Tübingen talked about the role of antiviral immune responses in pregnancy complications. The meeting concluded with an open discussion session dedicated to the exchange of research ideas and the establishment of new collaborations. 

Drs. Dorota Kmiec and Rayhane Nchioua (meeting organizers)