The pandemic is an enormous challenge for clinical virologists. Jörg studied medicine and started his training in internal medicine before deciding on virology after a research stay in Boston. He has worked in viral diagnostics for 15 years and conducts research in the field of immunology and viral evolution. Since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, Jörg has been involved in the development of diagnostic procedures and clinical research projects on molecular epidemiology and immunity against COVID-19. Together with partners in virology from the University Medical Centers in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Jörg founded an alliance against viral infections (VIRAL-NRW) to address key research questions related to the pandemic. The alliance is intended to strengthen cooperation and facilitate the exchange of research data with the aim of being better prepared for future outbreaks.