At the IMKI we investigate the molecular mechanisms that initiate, maintain and terminate immune responses. We are interested in both the rapid mechanisms of the inflammatory response (so-called innate immune system) and the adaptive immune system. Its activation - in close cooperation with the innate immune response - takes longer and is associated with the development of an immunological memory. Both the lack of and the excessive activation of these mechanisms can cause serious and even life-threatening diseases.

At the IMKI we study these mechanisms from the molecular level (intracellular signal transduction) to the communication and interaction of cells in complex tissues. On the one hand, we conduct studies on the activation and manipulation of individual molecules and immune cell types. On the other hand, we investigate the role of these molecules in various diseases involving the immune system such as allergies, autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, infectious diseases and myeloproliferative diseases.