LMU University Hospital
Institute of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine
Leopoldstr. 5
80802 Munich
Germany
We are dedicated to study the human response to infections and vaccinations on a systemic, cellular and molecular level during observational human cohort studies and clinical trials. Our work aims to elucidate the mechanisms of pathophysiology and immune protection against infectious diseases with a primary focus on respiratory and sexually transmitted viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, HIV, and oncogenic Human Papilloma Viruses. Another important research focus of our group is infectious disease diagnosis. Here we are interested in the discovery of prognostic biomarkers for diagnosis, treatment and long-term clinical outcomes of active tuberculosis (TB) and oncogenic Human Papilloma Viruses.
With the aim to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases, we conduct comprehensive immunological and molecular analyses of clinical specimen – both in blood and tissue. Our state-of-the-art immunological and molecular laboratory techniques and advanced computational data analysis include cell culture, polychromatic flow cytometry, flow cytometric cell sorting, multi-channel ELISPOT, multiplex fluorescence immunohistochemistry combined with in-situ RNA hybridization techniques, bead arrays for simultaneous analysis of multiple soluble biomarkers, high-dimensional microfluidic qPCR, and a multi-omic analysis system for single-cell studies. With our multidisciplinary approach and close cooperation with clinicians, the Infection and Immunity research group covers the entire spectrum from clinical sample collection and processing to experimental design and integrative bioinformatic analysis in the context of clinical outcomes.
Better vaccines and diagnostic tools for infectious pathogens and the diseases they cause can reduce disease burden on a global level and help to eradicate human pathogens, such as shown by the elimination of the deadly smallpox virus. A better understanding of the molecular, physiologic and immunologic mechanisms contributing to protection from infection and disease and of diagnostic biomarkers associated with treatment success or failure will be essential to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases.