Marcus Altfeld

Professor Marcus Altfeld is a leading immunology researcher at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, where he serves at the Institute of Immunology within the Center for Diagnostics. His work focuses on critical aspects of immune responses, particularly in viral infections and gender-based immunological differences.

His primary research interests include:

• Natural Killer (NK) cell functionality in viral infections
• Type I interferon responses against HIV-1
• Gender differences in immune system function
• Metabolic determinants of HIV-1 disease progression
• Innate immune responses in viral pathogenesis

Professor Altfeld leads the research group FOR 5068 focused on gender differences in immune responses and has secured multiple DFG-funded projects examining calcium signaling in NK cells, metabolic factors in HIV disease, and hormonal modulation of immune responses. His work bridges basic immunology with clinical applications, particularly in understanding how sex differences affect immune responses to viral infections and pregnancy.

His research portfolio demonstrates significant contributions to understanding:

• Mechanisms of NK cell-mediated immune control in HCV infection
• Feto-maternal immune interactions and their health implications
• Pathogenesis of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis related to innate immunity
• Liver and intestinal manifestations of COVID-19