Jannick Prentø

Jannick Prentø is an Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, holding joint appointments in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology (Virology section) and the Department of Biomedical Sciences (Endocrinology and Metabolism section). His research focuses on structural virology with an emphasis on hepatitis C virus (HCV) mechanisms and vaccine development.

Dr. Prentø's primary research interests include the structural basis of HCV immune evasion, particularly focusing on the E2 glycoprotein and hypervariable region 1 (HVR1). His laboratory employs an integrated approach combining wet lab techniques, in silico modeling, cryo-EM, and molecular dynamics simulations to study viral entry mechanisms and neutralization. His team has made significant contributions to understanding the HCV envelope protein complex structure, recently discovering it forms an antiparallel homodimer of E1 and E2 proteins.

Analysis of Dr. Prentø's publication record reveals a strong focus on HCV structural biology, immune evasion mechanisms, and vaccine development. His recent work (2022-2025) demonstrates increasing emphasis on translating structural insights into practical vaccine candidates, with multiple studies on inactivated HCV vaccines that induce broadly neutralizing antibodies. His research bridges basic structural virology with translational applications, particularly in developing cross-genotype protective immunity.

As an educator, Dr. Prentø teaches virology laboratory courses for medical students and organizes a Ph.D. course on preclinical and clinical aspects of vaccine development. He has also served as a mentor in the SUND postdoc mentor program in 2022 and 2023.

His laboratory specializes in integrating structural methodologies with functional viral studies, particularly focusing on how HCV's structural features enable it to switch between neutralization-sensitive and neutralization-resistant states. This work has significant implications for developing effective HCV vaccines and understanding fundamental mechanisms of viral immune evasion.