Marco Binder

Dr. Marco Binder leads the research group focused on the Dynamics of early viral infection and the innate antiviral response within the Division of Immunology, Infection and Cancer at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). His work centers on understanding how cells detect viruses via sensors like RIG-I and initiate interferon-based defenses, and why these mechanisms fail in chronic infections or cancer.

His research interests include:

• Innate antiviral immunity and signaling dynamics
• RIG-I/MAVS/interferon pathway regulation
• Mechanisms of viral persistence (e.g., hepatitis C, SARS-CoV-2)
• Role of interferon responses in tumor surveillance and immunoediting
• Development of interferon resistance in cancer cells
• Exploiting immune pathways for cancer therapy

The recent publications show a strong trend toward systems-level analysis of signaling kinetics, host-pathogen interactions, and the intersection of virology and oncology. His work combines molecular biology, live-cell imaging, CRISPR, and proteomics to dissect antiviral and antitumor responses.

His scientific awards include no explicitly named honors in the text, but his publications in journals like Cell, PLoS Pathogens, and Molecular Cell reflect high recognition in the field.

He mentors a team of researchers including Doroteja Ilic, Sebastian Stegmaier, and Aleksandr Refeld. He has collaborated with groups such as Ursula Klingmüller at DKFZ and has contributed to understanding interferon signaling dynamics and tumor immune escape mechanisms.

His lab investigates the interplay between antiviral defense and tumorigenesis, particularly how chronic inflammation and interferon exposure shape tumor evolution and therapy resistance.