The profile of the Research Training Group IMMUCO

The surface of the gastrointestinal tract represents the largest area where the organism interacts with the surrounding environment. At this interface of the body a highly sophisticated immune system recognizes a variety of endogenous bacteria or food antigens.   

The mucosal immune system allows the establishment of various immune responses: 1) protective immune response, 2) regulatory immune responses protecting against hyperactive inflammation, 3) inflammatory reactions against exogenous pathogens and finally 4) inflammatory responses leading to chronic tissue destruction, such as chronic inflammatory bowl diseases.

The SFB 633, in which the Research Training Group IMMUCO is integrated, focuses on the analyses of the specific conditions of mucosal T-cell activation and differentiation that eventually define the quality of immune responses. A variety of research groups cooperate within the SFB 633 to develop perspectives and therapeutical strategies, supporting protective immune responses and suppressing chronical inflammations. Whereas some groups aim to clarify basic mechanisms others focus on disease- and patient-related approaches. Experimental approaches range from in vitro studies or animal models to clinical applications.

The participating research institutes, the IMMUCO supervision concept and the IMMUCO study program reflect and underline this interdisciplinary and translational approach.         

The IMMUCO study program predominantly held in English offers courses and seminars tailored to the students´ needs including the following areas:

Berlin offers an outstanding scientific environment that is characterised by internationally recognized research in immunology, inflammation and infectious biology. With its focus on mucosal immunology the Integrated Research Training Group IMMUCO sets an innovative and interdisciplinary highlight and strengthens the local research environment.