Hannes Vietzen

Dr. Hannes Vietzen is a tenure-track Principal Investigator at the Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, and currently a Visiting Researcher at the University of Zurich’s Institute of Experimental Immunology. His scientific career is characterized by a strong focus on viral immunology, with particular emphasis on the function and clinical relevance of natural killer (NK) cells in viral infections. His PhD thesis, “Dissection of the human cytomegalovirus-specific antibody and NK cell responses in lung transplant recipients,” laid the groundwork for his continued exploration of the interplay between NK cells and viral pathogens. Dr. Vietzen has investigated NK cell receptor genetics, NK cell-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), and the modulation of NK cell responses by viruses such as HCMV, EBV, and SARS-CoV-2. More recently, he has explored the potential protective role of HCMV-induced NK cell responses in autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). His work integrates clinical and mechanistic insights, combining genetic, immunological, and virological approaches.