Projects and Grants

We are part of the Horus project, which links solid organ transplantation (SOT) experts, data scientists, virologists and immunologists in a European network of 24 partners.

As part of the UKE Research Unit 5068 Sex differences in immunity we are investigating the contribution of sex hormones and sex chromosome-encoded genes to sexspecific differences in immunity, and their relevance for human disease manifestations. The understanding of these mechanisms will pave the way for novel treatment strategies for infectious and immune-mediated diseases that take the sex of the affected individual into account.

In the ERC RegNK project, we are investigating the molecular mechanisms that regulate the function of NK cells. A particular focus is on analyzing the interactions between HLA class II molecules and NK cell receptors.

The overall goal of our African-German research network DFG - GEPRIS - Metabolic determinants of HIV-1-associated pathogenesis is to characterize the metabolic determinants of pathogenesis in HIV-1-infected individuals and HIV-1-exposed but uninfected (HEU) children. Together with our colleagues in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Cameroon, we are investigating the effects of HIV-1 virulence on cell metabolism, the consequences of metabolic disturbances on immune function and the effects of maternal HIV-1 and cART-mediated metabolic changes on the immune development of HEU children.