Molecular Immunology

Molecular Immunology

The group of Molecular Immunology, headed by Carsten Schmidt-Weber, is studying mechanisms of immune tolerance. The work is focussed on T cell memory and the differentiation towards regulatory T cells as well as other memory T cell phenotypes. recently discovered mechanisms are now translated into a clinical study that attempts to induce long-lasting immune tolerance against grass pollen allergens.

The group also discovered in parallel with others the novel Th22 subset and explores its function and differentiation using full transcriptome analytics and develops system biology tools. The group is aiming to establish system-based understanding of T cell biology and allergology (system allergology). 

A key interest is to modulate these differentiation processes in therapeutic settings such as specific immunotherapy. In this context the group is evaluating new drug targets, develops new treatment concepts and establishes new biomarkers.