With particular relevance to the current pandemic, Josef Penninger will present how work on ACE2, from the disocery in fly heart development to the first mutant mice and a fundamental understanding of SARS Coronavirus induce lung failure. This data provided the first molecular underpining why the first SARS-CoV and now SARS-CoV2 causing COVID-19 became „such dangerous viruses“. ACE2 has taken center-stage in global research and drug as well as vaccine development efforts after as a critical receptor for SARS-Cov-2. This work has also been translated into an ACE2 based drug to a highly promising, rational treatment for COVID-19.