Jakob TrimpertHeadshot of Dr. Jakob Trimpert.

Associate Professor

DVM (2013) Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
PhD (2018) Freie Universität Berlin, Germany

Office: Mosier N-211A
Phone: 785-532-4631
Email

Research

  • I am heading a virology research group that works on virus evolution, animal models for infectious disease, and drug and vaccine development. My research comprises quite different virus families with a spectrum ranging from DNA viruses like herpes- and iridoviruses to RNA viruses such as influenza and coronaviruses.
  • Since my PhD, I have studied the evolution of a chicken herpesvirus (Marek’s Disease Virus, MDV), which is an excellent example and model for the evolution of virulence. I am fascinated by the complex biology, remarkable adaptation and impressive immune evasion of herpesviruses.
  • Genetic diversity in and evolution of viruses has remained one of my major interests. Specifically, so-called hypermutator herpesviruses are one main area of my research. By reducing the ability of the viral DNA polymerase to perform proofreading, we have generated viruses that show a variable degree of hypermutation and have the potential to serve as tools to accelerate evolution and investigate virus adaptation. Employing these viruses, my group currently studies the adaption of viruses to new host species and the development of drug and vaccine resistance.
  • Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have employed my expertise as veterinarian in establishing and characterizing different hamster models for COVID-19 research. This has served as the basis for many of our achievements in drug discovery and vaccine. Among the many SARS-CoV-2-related projects, the development of safe and effective life attenuated vaccines and innovative antiviral therapies have become an important focus of my research which I will continue and expand over the next years.

Full Bibliography