Faculty

Research Interests: Mucosal immunity against pathogens. Molecular Pathogenesis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus +1 HIV and Simian Immunodeficiency Virus +1 SIV Infections with Special Emphasis on Gastrointestinal Mucosal Lymphoid Tissue +1 GALT as a Major Target Organ of the Viral Infection, and as a Viral Reservoir. Repair and renewal of gut mucosal immune system during therapy.

Research Interests: My research focuses on neuro-immune interactions at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) as a relevant contributor to neuroinflammation and consequent neurodegeneration. My long-term goal is to contribute to the identification of non-immunosuppressive and sex-specific therapeutic targets, specifically by elucidating 1) triggering factors of BBB dysfunction, 2) their role in neuropathogenesis and neuroinflammation, and 3) their association with sex-biased autoimmune disorders (e.g. multiple sclerosis).

Research Interests: PMy laboratory performed pioneering work on understanding the regulation of the composition and function of our microflora by the cells of the intestinal epithelium. We were able to show that cellular respiration of the intestinal cells and their energy metabolism play an essential role in this. If, for example, the intestinal cells change their metabolism during inflammation, the composition of the microflora changes, resulting in so‐called dysbiosis, which can have a decisive influence on the course of the disease, for example in the case of intestinal inflammation, but also in the case of cancer or cardiovascular disease. Our research provides completely new and original starting points for restoring the balance between microflora and the human body in these diseases.

Research Interests: Evaluating the immune response in children with autism and to examine the interface between the immune system and the central nervous system.

Research Interests: Research in immunogenetics, molecular genetics, functional genomics, and bioinformatics in poultry. My group is focused on elucidating the molecular and cellular mechanisms of host-pathogen interaction including disease resistance, immune response, and pathogenesis of infection.