Forschung

The research areas of the Institute are mostly tackling immunological aspects of infection and cancer, while one group focusses on molecular epidemiology of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

The most prominent research stronghold relates to the DFG-funded Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 670 "Cell-autonomous Immunity", in which more than 20 scientists from the University of Cologne, the Max-Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research and the University of Bonn jointly investigate cell-specific interactions with distinct microbial pathogens. This CRC 670 is co-ordinated by the director of the Institute, who together with four other independent research groups of the Institute (Kashkar, Krut, Kufer, Utermöhlen) actively participates in the research activities of this center.

Complementary to the CRC 670, research groups of the Institute pursue the role of micro RNAs in control of immune reactions to intracellular pathogens (Papadopoulou), the mode of action of mycobacteria preventing phagosome maturation (Plum).

Translational aspects are pursued by the research groups of A. Klimka and O. Krut, who develop passive and active vaccination strategies against S. aureus, as well as by the research group of H. Seifert, that is devoted to the molecular epidemiology of Acinetobacter baumanii and in addition to clinical investigations of S. aureus infections.  

Immunity to infections shares many aspects with immunity to cancer. Three research groups of the Institute investigate the mechanisms of apoptosis and its for cancer metastasis (Kashkar), the role of TNF receptor signaling in cancer cell migration (Krönke), and the cytolytic potential of intraepithelial T cells against tumor cells (Utermöhlen). These three research groups are active members of the DFG-funded Collaborative Research Center CRC 832 " Tumor microenvironment" (headed by Prof. M. Hallek).

Recently, the research groups of H. Kashkar and M. Krönke got involved in the scientific program of the excellence cluster CECAD. Here, the impact of mitochondrial pathways of apoptosis and that of ceramide species on age-related changes of inflammatory process are being investigated. CECAD funds a platform for Lipidomics (headed by S. Brodesser), which is localized in the Institute.    

Besides being director of this Institute M. Krönke is vice chairman of the "Zentrum für Molekulare Medizin der Universität zu Köln (ZMMK)". The research groups of this center focus on four main topics, namely heart and vasucular disease, tumor biology, inflammation and infection, and molecular neurobiology.