Research Group Translational Immunology

The junior research group „Translational Immunology“ is aiming to solve clinical problems of immunocompromised patients suffering from frequent infectious diseases. In particular, patients with chronic rheumatic diseases and autoimmunity are immunosuppressed by the primary disease and additional immunomodulatory treatment.

In close collaboration with the Department for Rheumatology and Immunology of Hannover Medical School pathophysiological mechanisms leading to chronic inflammatory diseases are studied. Within such diseases, a specific focus lies on the origin of the connective tissues disease systemic sclerosis. Disease specific mechanisms are addressed using innovative methods to analyze immune cells derived directly from inflamed tissue of patients.

Chronic inflammatory diseases are treated using immunomodulatory drugs. Such drugs can influence immune responses upon infections and vaccinations. In order to develop better vaccination strategies for specific patient groups we analyze the impact of immunomodulatory drugs on vaccination responses.

The treatment of chronic rheumatic diseases using immunomodulatory drugs has a systemic impact on immune responses. Using innovative nanocarriers we aim to develop cell-selective targeting approaches to conduct active agents into affected immune cells. Such targeted therapy approaches might help to reduce infections caused by systemic immunomodulatory therapy.