The main function of the immune system is to protect against infections by pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and fungi. A functional defect in the immune system can lead to an increased occurrence of certain infections. For example, patients with immune deficiencies often suffer from chronic viral, bacterial or fungal infections. In contrast, defects in immune regulation often lead to autoimmune pathologies such as inflammatory bowel, skin or rheumatic diseases. It is also assumed that the immune system plays a decisive role in the pathogenesis of widespread diseases such as osteoporosis or atherosclerosis.

In a translational approach, our lab investigates diseases in which the immune system plays a disease-promoting role.

The knowledge gained and established model systems are often used directly in the diagnosis or therapy of immunological diseases.

• Role of immune cells in the protection against infection
• Function of humoral and cellular immunity in transplant rejection
• Prediction of adverse immune responses
• Human internal vitro model systems for therapy prediction and drug testing
• Clinical studies to research immune-related pathologies including common diseases such as osteoporosis and atherosclerosis