George Kassiotis

George Kassiotis is a Professor of Retrovirology at the Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, and a Senior Group Leader heading the Laboratory of Retroviral Immunology at the Francis Crick Institute in London, UK. His research focuses on immune responses to both exogenous and endogenous retroviruses, with particular emphasis on how these viruses interact with host immunity.

His research interests span Retrovirology, Immunology, and the complex interactions between endogenous retroviruses and host immune systems. His laboratory investigates innate and adaptive immune responses to retroviruses, with significant contributions to understanding how endogenous retroelements influence immune function, cancer development, and viral pathogenesis. His work bridges fundamental virology with clinical applications, particularly in the context of HIV and emerging viral pathogens.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on the immunological implications of endogenous retroviruses in cancer, immune regulation, and antiviral responses. His work frequently explores the dual roles of retroelements as both pathogenic agents and functional components of host immunity, with significant contributions to understanding SARS-CoV-2 immunity and cancer immunology.

• New Investigator Award from the Wellcome Trust, UK

Dr. Kassiotis leads a multidisciplinary team at the Francis Crick Institute that utilizes advanced genomic, immunological, and virological approaches to investigate retroviral-host interactions. His laboratory collaborates extensively with clinical researchers and leverages multiple core facilities including Genomics, Flow Cytometry, and Scientific Computing. His research program addresses fundamental questions about viral persistence, immune recognition, and the evolutionary impact of retroviral elements on host genomes.