Prof. Dr. Hiroki Kato

Our research focuses mainly on two main topics dealing with the analysis of molecular mechanismisms leading to autoimmune diseases (ADs) and the molecular mechanisms during viral recognition. In both processes cytoplasmic RNA sensors, namely RIG-I like receptors (RLRs), play a crucial role. Their role is more obvious in virus recognition since RLRs distinguish between viral RNAs and self-RNAs and trigger type I interferons (type I IFNs) as a defense mechanism. But it has also been found, that mutations in RLR lead to the development of several autoimmune diseases.