Our research group investigates how aberrancies in the adaptive immune system contribute to multiple sclerosis (MS). A major focus are CD4- and CD8-positive T cells, and B cells in the context of anti-viral responses.  We aim to understand how these cells are involved in the disease process of MS, and whether knowledge about their functional programs can be used to identify biomarkers for severity and treatment response and targets for the design of new therapeutic strategies in MS. The latter includes fundamental and translational studies on steroids as vitamin D and corticosteroids.

As main approach, we study lymphocytes isolated from blood, cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue of people with MS. Participants to our studies have their MS history and genetic risk profiles extensively characterized. We compare phenotype and functional characteristics of people with a first demyelinating event and a high- vs. low-risk of conversion to MS, and of people with a poor vs good response to MS disease modifying therapies. Our core technical modalities include advanced in vitro differentiation and transmigration assays, gene expression and knockdown systems and 14-color based flow cytometry.

We are often looking for new talent. Please contact us when you are searching for an internship (MSc. or BSc.) or job position.