How mucus protects against infections

At first glance, mucus sounds more unpleasant than essential. In
fact, it forms an important protective layer on our mucous
membranes: It transports dirt, bacteria, and viruses out of the
body and makes it difficult for pathogens to penetrate our cells in
the first place. Nanoinfection biologist Prof. Christian Sieben is
studying this crucial moment in an infection in great detail. He
heads the Nanoinfection Biology research group at the Helmholtz
Centre for Infection Research and is a professor at the Technische
Universität Braunschweig. Using state-of-the-art microscopy, he
observes individual virus particles and investigates how they
interact with our cells. In this episode of InFact, host Julia
Demann talks with him about how respiratory viruses overcome our
natural barriers, why influenza viruses in particular have
significant pandemic potential—and how knowledge about viruses,
cells, and mucus can help develop new vaccines and medications.