Inhibitors of ER protein translocation in virology

Speaker: prof. Kurt Vermeire, Ph.D. Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Belgium

Talk:  Inhibitors of ER protein translocation in virology

Time: 29.05.2026

Venue: Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, Abrahama 58, hall 042B

Kurt Vermeire is a Full Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Transplantation and the Rega Institute for Medical Research at the University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium. Professor Vermeire earned a master degree in Bio-engineering and a Ph.D. in Medical Sciences from KU Leuven before completing postdoctoral fellowships at the National Institute of Health (NIH, Bethesda, USA) and at the University College London (LMCB, UCL, London, UK), where he studied the mode of action of HIV entry inhibitors. In 2011, he joined as a visiting scientist the laboratory of Enno Hartmann at the University of Lübeck in Germany, where he got trained in cell-free in vitro protein translation and translocation research. On his return to Leuven in 2012, he began his independent group at the Rega Institute and was appointed Assistant Professor in the Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven. His research involves Sec61-dependent ER translocation of viral envelope proteins and cellular receptors for human viruses, such as Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Corona Virus, Dengue Virus and Ebola Virus, with focus on small molecule inhibitors of the Sec61 translocon channel.

Dr. Vermeire has published 92 peer-reviewed articles (H-index: 31) and is co-inventor on 3 patents. As an educator, he supervises students across academic levels and Ph.D. candidates in the Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Vermeire coordinates the Master’s Thesis course of the program Biomedical Sciences, teaches microbiology courses in the Faculty of Medicine at KU Leuven and is member of the Faculty Working Group on International Affairs for Biomedical Sciences.