Viral Immunity and Immunomonitoring

Description

The research group employs a translational approach to investigate diseases in which the immune system plays a pathogenetic role. By this means, they have generated knowledge and established model systems that are often applied directly in the diagnosis or treatment of immunological diseases. This combination of (viral) immunological expertise and their previous infrastructure is crucial for the quick and successful implementation of the group's knowledge in COVID-19 diagnostics and management. In addition to establishing immunological tests for the assessment of specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity, the group has gained new insights into the immunopathogenic mechanisms of COVID-19. In addition, they have investigated extensively the effects of COVID-19 on the organism and the immunity of immunosuppressed and/or chronically ill patients. In this context, the group identified a potential biomarker for the prediction of acute respiratory distress syndrome during COVID-19. In addition to its important diagnostic value, their research results have already been employed for the improvement of clinical treatment, especially of transplant patients. The most important research areas of the group include: A) Determination of the role of immune cells in the protection against infections (currently also COVID-19) B) Study of the function of humoral and cellular immunity in the event of transplant rejection C) Prediction of adverse immune reactions D) Identification of prognostic markers for the disease course E) Development of human in vitro model systems for therapy prediction and drug testing F) Supervision of clinical studies to research immune-related pathologies – including common diseases such as osteoporosis and atherosclerosis. Description adapted from working group website: see link above.