Jan Rehwinkel

Jan Rehwinkel is a Professor of Innate Immunology at the University of Oxford, where he leads an independent research group within the MRC Human Immunology Unit and the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine. His academic journey began with undergraduate training in biology at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, followed by doctoral studies at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL).

Rehwinkel's research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions, particularly how cells detect virus infection through nucleic acid sensing by innate immune receptors. His work sits at the intersection of immunology, virology, and molecular biology, with specific emphasis on RNA biology in innate immunity. His laboratory investigates the roles of sensors like RIG-I and ZBP1/DAI in viral recognition, inflammatory cell death pathways, and immune responses to pathogens.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on nucleic acid sensing mechanisms, particularly the cGAS-STING pathway, Z-nucleic acid recognition, and viral immune evasion strategies. His work spans fundamental molecular mechanisms to translational applications in viral infections, autoinflammatory diseases, and cancer immunology. The research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between innate immunity, cell death pathways, and viral pathogenesis.

Rehwinkel's research program is supported by prestigious funding from the Medical Research Council (MRC), Wellcome Trust, Lister Institute, and European Union grants, reflecting the significance and impact of his work in immunology and virology.

His laboratory, known as the Rehwinkel Group: Nucleic Acid Sensing, operates within the MRC Human Immunology Unit at the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, contributing to Oxford's strong research environment in immunology and infectious diseases. The group employs molecular, cellular, and virological approaches to dissect the complex mechanisms of innate immune recognition.