ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome) is a complex and often misunderstood disease that affects the nervous system, immune system, and energy metabolism. In this episode, Florian Krammer explains the key symptoms, including severe fatigue, post-exertional malaise, sleep disturbances, and cognitive dysfunction, as well as the different levels of disease severity. A major focus is the strong link to infections, as many cases begin after viral illnesses such as Epstein–Barr virus, influenza, or SARS-CoV-2. Despite decades of research, the underlying mechanism remains unclear, with hypotheses ranging from viral persistence to autoimmunity. The episode also addresses the lack of biomarkers, limited treatment options, ongoing stigma, and why growing awareness—especially through long COVID—may help drive future research and improve care for patients.

CDC ME/CFS information: https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/about/index.html

Link to Columbia University ME/CFS center: https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/research/centers/center-infection-immunity/research/center-solutions-me-cfs

Article about termination of ME/CFS research at Columbia University: https://www.statnews.com/2025/03/19/myalgic-encephalomyelitis-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-columbia-program-shutdown/

Article about German funding for postviral syndrome research: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03904-w

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Krammer laboratory information

Krammer Laboratory at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Science Outreach and Pandemic Preparedness

Ignaz Semmelweis Institute

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Conflict of interest statement

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has filed patent applications relating to influenza virus vaccines and therapeutics, SARS-CoV-2 serological assays and NDV-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines which name me as inventor. Mount Sinai has spun out a company, CastleVax, to commercialize NDV-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and I am named as co-founder and scientific advisory board member of that company.

I have previously consulted for Curevac, Merck, Gritstone, Sanofi, Seqirus, GSK and Pfizer and I am currently consulting for 3rd Rock Ventures (US) and Avimex (Mexico).

My laboratory has been collaborating in the past with Pfizer on animal models of SARS-CoV-2 and with GlaxoSmithKline and VIR on the development of influenza virus vaccines and therapeutics and we are currently collaborating with Dynavax, Inspirevax and Inimmune on development of influenza virus vaccines.

My work in the on immunity and infectious diseases in the US is supported by the National Institutes of Health, but also by FluLab and Tito’s Handmade Vodka. In the past I have also received funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, PATH and the US Department of Defense.

My work in Austria is supported by the Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft and by the Ignaz Semmelweis Institute through the Medical University of Vienna.