Congratulations to Eric on his graduation!

For his thesis, Eric investigated whether LTR69 elements, remnants of ancient retroviral sequences integrated into the human genome, can influence the regulation of nearby genes and whether their activity is affected by viral infection. Building on previous computational analyses suggesting regulatory activity of LTR69 and a possible connection to SARS-CoV-2 infection, he combined computational and experimental approaches to investigate these questions.

Using reporter gene assays, Eric demonstrated that at least one of the LTR69 sequences exerts regulatory activity. Computational analyses further identified potential binding sites for transcription factors involved in immune responses, including NF-κB and IRF3. However, when LTR69 activity was experimentally tested following stimulation with Sendai virus, SARS-CoV-2, or poly I:C, no significant modulation was observed. Together, these findings provide new insights into the regulatory potential of LTR69 and open avenues for further research into the role of endogenous retroviruses in viral infections and immune regulation.

Congratulations, Eric, on this important achievement and on successfully completing your MD thesis! We wish you all the very best for your future career and are excited to see where your journey takes you (and your endogenous retroviruses) next.