Immunology & Translational Infection Research:

• NK-cell biology and CMV-driven immune modulation
• Immune activation and chronic inflammation in HIV
• Host–pathogen interactions in chronic viral infections

Cohort & Clinical Studies: 

• HIV cohort studies (RESINA, ClinSurv HIV, local PLWH cohorts)
• Chronic hepatitis D / E cohort analyses
• Hepatitis C/D screening & linkage-to-care projects
• Opportunistic infections in people living with HIV

Women’s Health in HIV (WAVE/EACS):

• Care perceptions and healthcare needs of women living with HIV
• European comparative studies and upcoming qualitative research

Dr. Smaranda Gliga and Dr. Alexander Killer conduct both, individual and joint, translational and cohort-based research projects on the clinical and molecular aspects of viral infections. Their work focuses on HIV and viral hepatitis (HBV, HDV, HEV), complemented by studies on antiviral and anti-infective therapies, including SARS-CoV-2. The research team is embedded in the division of infectious diseases (lead by PD Dr. Jensen) and the hepatologic outpatient clinic (lead by Prof. Dr. Bock). 

Dr. Gliga additionally leads immunological research on host–pathogen interactions in chronic viral infections, with a particular emphasis on NK-cell–mediated immunity, CMV-driven immune modulation, and inflammatory comorbidities in people living with HIV. Her immunology work is conducted in collaboration with the Institute of Virology, University Hospital Düsseldorf (AG Timm). Dr. Gliga also contributes to the WAVE (Women Against Viruses in Europe) - initiative of the European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS), focusing on the healthcare needs, care perceptions, and lived experiences of women living with HIV across Europe.

Dr. Killer’s research has a clinical focus on analysis of treatment dynamics and prediction of treatment responses. 

• Gliga S, Böhm M, Lübke N, Killer A, Hüttig F, Haberl L, Timm J, Müller C, Heger E, Büch J, Fätkenheuer G, Lehmann C, Oette M, Hower M, Knechten H, Schübel N, Esser S, Schneeweiß S, Qurishi N, Römer K, Rockstroh JK, Kaiser R, Luedde T, Jensen B-EO, on behalf of the RSG. HIV-1 virologic failure in the RESINA cohort: lessons from two decades of real-world data. Infection. 2025. doi: 10.1007/s15010-025-02713-7.
• Killer A, Gliga S, Massion P, Ackermann C, De Angelis C, Flasshove C, Freise N, Lübke N, Timm J, Eberhardt KA, Bode J, Jensen BO, Luedde T, Orth HM, Feldt T. Trajectories and predictive significance of inflammatory parameters for clinical outcome in COVID-19 patients treated with tocilizumab. Infection 2025; 53 (1): 339-348. doi: 10.1007/s15010-024-02375-x.
• Orth HM, Flasshove C, Berger M, Hattenhauer T, Biederbick KD, Mispelbaum R, Klein U, Stemler J, Fisahn M, Doleschall AD, Baermann BN, Koenigshausen E, Tselikmann O, Killer A, de Angelis C, Gliga S, Stegbauer J, Spuck N, Silling G, Rockstroh JK, Strassburg CP, Brossart P, Panse JP, Jensen BO, Luedde T, Boesecke C, Heine A, Cornely OA, Monin MB. Early combination therapy of COVID-19 in high-risk patients. Infection 2024; 52 (3): 877-889. doi: 10.1007/s15010-023-02125-5.
• Killer A, Gliga S, Lohr C, Weigel C, Ole Jensen BE, Lübke N, Walker A, Timm J, Bode J, Luedde T, Bock HH. Dynamics of Virological and Clinical Response Parameters of Bulevirtide Treatment for Hepatitis D: Real-World Data. Gastro Hep Adv 2024; 3 (3): 353-360. doi: 10.1016/j.gastha.2024.01.001.
• Gliga S, Lübke N, Killer A, Gruell H, Walker A, Dilthey AT, Thielen A, Lohr C, Flaßhove C, Krieg S, Pereira JV, Seraphin TP, Zaufel A, Däumer M, Orth HM, Feldt T, Bode JG, Klein F, Timm J, Luedde T, Jensen BO. Rapid Selection of Sotrovimab Escape Variants in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Omicron-Infected Immunocompromised Patients. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 76 (3): 408-415. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciac802.