MI3 Research Topics

INNATE IMMUNITY and CANCER

A first line of research at MI3 exploits innate immunity to combat cancer cells, either by direct cytotoxicity or by priming an efficient adaptive immune response. Of central importance are checkpoints that control NK and myeloid cell reactivity at the level of cell surface receptors, metabolic cues, and both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulators. We dissect mechanisms of the interaction of innate immune cells with cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment to understand tumor escape from innate immune control. Advances in innate immuno-oncology will be the basis for designing innovative cancer treatment protocols in pre-clinical mouse models and cancer patients.

INFLAMMATION and INNATE IMMUNITY

A second research line at MI3 concentrates on mechanisms of innate immune reactivity against pathogens and in inflammatory conditions. A major focus is on the analysis of signal transduction pathways in response to bacterial toxins and pattern recognition receptor activation. The aim of these studies is to understand the responsiveness and contribution of macrophages, innate lymphoid cells, NK cells and platelets to inflammatory conditions, and involves dissection of the crosstalk between innate immune cells and other cell types such as epithelial, endothelial and mesenchymal stromal cells.