Stephan Urban

Stephan Urban is a Professor and Head of the Hepatitis B Research Group at the Molecular Virology Department within the Center for Infectious Diseases at the University of Heidelberg. His research focuses on hepatitis B and delta viruses, particularly viral entry mechanisms, development of entry inhibitors, and understanding host-pathogen interactions. Key projects include identifying viral and cellular determinants of HBV entry, analyzing duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) receptor dynamics, and studying HBV maturation processes.

His work utilizes advanced techniques such as fluorescently labeled viral particles, cryo-electron microscopy, and preclinical studies of lipopeptide-based therapeutics. The research team includes members like Yi Ni, Benno Zehnder, and Franziska Schlund. Urban’s contributions span from fundamental virology to translational medicine, including preclinical trials for Phase I clinical applications of HBV entry inhibitors.

Notable research areas include glycosaminoglycan-dependent binding, host cell cytoskeleton roles, and structural analysis of viral surface proteins. His studies on DHBV receptor dCPD/gp180 challenge traditional attachment receptor models, emphasizing complex entry pathways requiring further elucidation. Recent efforts aim to optimize lipopeptide stability and bioavailability for clinical use.