Ulrik Fahnøe

Ulrik Fahnøe serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. His research program focuses on viral pathogenesis, immune responses, and viral evolution mechanisms, with particular expertise in hepatitis viruses and coronaviruses.

Dr. Fahnøe's research interests center on viral evolution and immune evasion strategies. His laboratory investigates how viruses like hepatitis B and C evolve to escape T cell recognition, with recent work identifying specific epitopes linked to viral evolution rates in chronic infection. Another major research thrust examines antibody neutralization and escape mechanisms, including studies on hypervariable region insertions in hepatitis C virus. His team has also made significant contributions to SARS-CoV-2 research, investigating viral entry mechanisms, drug resistance pathways, and T cell responses. Additional interests include vaccine development, as demonstrated by his work on inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, and cross-species transmission, evidenced by studies using the Norway rat hepacivirus as a model system.

Analysis of Dr. Fahnøe's publication record reveals a consistent focus on molecular mechanisms of viral adaptation to host immune pressures. His work bridges fundamental virology with clinical implications, particularly in understanding how viral evolution impacts disease progression and treatment outcomes. The strong emphasis on both hepatitis viruses and SARS-CoV-2 demonstrates his ability to pivot research focus to address emerging viral threats while maintaining expertise in chronic viral infections.

Dr. Fahnøe actively participates in mentoring students and postdoctoral researchers in virology and immunology techniques. His research program is supported by grants focused on viral pathogenesis and host immune responses, enabling sophisticated molecular and cellular analyses of virus-host interactions.

Within the Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Dr. Fahnøe is a key member of the virology research group led by Dr. Bukh. His laboratory utilizes advanced techniques including viral sequencing, molecular cloning, in vitro viral culture systems, and immunological assays to study viral evolution and immune responses. The research environment fosters strong collaboration between basic scientists and clinicians, facilitating translation of findings to potential therapeutic applications.