Structural basis of adenovirus attachment to its receptor CD46 [Elektronische Ressource] = Strukturelle Basis der Bindung des Adenovirus an seinen Rezeptor CD46 / vorgelegt von David Persson

Structural Basis of Adenovirus Attachment to its Receptor CD46 Strukturelle Basis der Bindung des Adenovirus an seinen Rezeptor CD46 Dissertation der Fakultät für Chemie und Pharmazie der Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen zur Erlangung des Grades eines Doktors der Naturwissenschaften 2008 vorgelegt von David Persson Tag der mündlichen Prüfung: 04. Juli 2008 Dekan: Professor Dr. L. Wesemann 1. Berichterstatter: Professor Dr. T. Stehle 2. Berichterstatter: Dr. N. Arnberg I The experimental part of this thesis was performed at the Interfaculty Institute for Biochemistry at the University of Tuebingen between June 2005 and April 2008, under the supervision Prof. Dr. Thilo Stehle. "Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton was the one who asked why." -Bernard Baruch II Abstract Adenoviruses are common pathogens, causing a number of infectious diseases. They have been found in virtually all human organs, producing symptoms that range from the common cold to pneumonia (Hakim and Tleyjeh, 2008). Additionally, they also cause a variety of clinical symptoms, for example epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC), pharyngoconjunctival fever (PCF), infantile gastroenteritis, cystitis and urinary tract infections. Individuals with poorly functioning immune systems are especially prone to severe and life-threatening infections.