Research into the fundamentals of the immune response not only enables a better understanding of autoimmunity and inflammation, but is also the basis for the development of new and targeted therapeutic approaches for autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases.

Therefore, our group investigates basal molecular regulatory and control mechanisms that govern the innate and adaptive immune response. A specific focus are the role of distinct immune cell types such as macrophages, T cells and B cells during homeostasis or during inflammation and autoimmune disease. Another focus is a better understanding of the impact of metabolic processes on immune cell function (Immunometabolism).

Our research is performed using mouse models as well as by clinical and molecular characterization of patients suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases or autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). By identifying new basic principles and targets we seek to design new therapeutic approaches for these patients and directly apply them in our clinic (including the use of novel targeted therapies such as CAR T cells).