RTG 2668

RTG 2668: Immune Master Switches in Allergies and Autoimmune Diseases

News

  • Announcement Life & Science Symposium CRC1371 RTG2668 - 1

Upcoming events

  • RTG Twin Lecture „Monogenetic diseases as models for atopy and allergy: Guidelines for a better understanding and new treatments.“ – 24.10.2024
  • RTG Twin Lecture „Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for autoimmune diseases: Resetting the immunological clock?“ – 07.11.2024
  • RTG Retreat in Alpbach –  14.-16.11.2024

Information RTG 2668

Up to 40% of the population in developed countries suffer from allergic diseases and approximately 5-8% from autoimmune diseases with still increasing prevalence. Therefore, a better mechanistic understanding of disease pathogenesis is urgently required for the development of appropriate diagnostics and for novel treatment strategies.

  • Identification – the identification of IMS in different disease phases

  • Understanding – a more precise 3 stratification of inflammatory subtypes

  • Evaluation – The evaluation of scientific data

This research training group (RTG) aims to identify Immune Master Switches (IMS), which act as key determinants of a directed disease development toward initiation, chronification, and resilience or resolution of inflammation in allergic and autoimmune diseases.

Our Goals

The main four scientific objectives of this RTG are:

Identification of
key immune master switches

To identify key immune master switches (IMS) involved in allergic and autoimmune diseases.

This task is set up to both, better understand disease development and to identify possible targets of intervention and biomonitoring.

Dissection of switches

To dissect switches involved in the initiation, chronification and the resilience or resolution of allergies and autoimmune reactions.

By this, we appreciate that disease development underlies several phases including a preclinical phase susceptible to prevention and that the different phases need targeted intervention.

Redefinition of
conceptional distinction

To redefine the conceptional distinction between autoimmune and allergic diseases.

Based on in-depth analyses, common pathways between diseases beyond the classical dichotomy of type 2 and type1/3 diseases have been detected. Thus we anticipate that cross-evaluation between these areas will allow us to cross-interpret immune pathologies and apply diagnostics and treatments based on characterization and not based on disease or disease area categories.

Evaluation of scientific data

To evaluate scientific data with regard to translation and its possible use in medicine.

To this end, all proposals were set up as tandem projects with one life science graduate and one medical student or clinician scientist to allow ongoing clinical evaluation and reciprocal feedback.

To achieve our scientific aims, we included 12 research projects – six in allergy/allergic inflammation (Part A; projects A1-A6), and six in autoimmune diseases (Part B; projects B1-B6). To allow also cross-validation, projects focusing on IMS that are operative in different diseases and tissues were selected, as well as those focusing on either the initiation, chronification and resolution phases of disease. Since all research projects were set up as tandem projects with one life science graduate and one medical student or clinician scientist, they offer two scientifically independent projects within one tandem approach. The tandem approach of researchers with life science and medical study background will allow in depth cooperation and exchange between the trainees and, at the same time, lead to independent accomplishments and publications.

Principal Investigators

Prof. Dr. med.
Tilo Biedermann

Chair/Department: TUM– Dept. of Dermatology and Allergology, Clinic for Dermatology and Allergology
Work adress: Biedersteiner Str. 29, 80802 Munich
Research area: Dermatology

Dr. med.Veit
Buchholz

Chair/ Departement: TUM- Dept. of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene
Work adress: Trogerstraße 30, 81675 Munich
Research area: Immunology

Prof. Dr. med.
Dirk Busch
Chair/Department: TUM- Dept. of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene
Work adress: Trogerstraße 30, 81675 Munich
Research area: Immunology

Qualification Concept

Training in the first year (Arriving phase) will be mandatory for all participating RTG members and is concluded with the first retreat. Training of the second year (Achieving phase) will be mandatory for trainees with life science background. Clinician scientists are partly involved in the second year curriculum. Medical students participate voluntarily. The third year’s curriculum (Deepening phase) will be mandatory for Dr.rer.nat. and PhD candidates.

The three-year qualification concept of the RTG A2D.

Tandem Structure

The close cooperation of trainees with different study backgrounds forms the backbone of the RTG translational research and training concept. Therefore, we introduce tandems of trainees with a background in natural science and medicine (Dr. med. candidates or clinician scientists) in each of the research laboratories. The formation of these research tandems, which are going to embrace the idea of translational research, will generate a close exchange of disciplines, and will allow to join forces to generate added value by learning from each other and will provide long-term benefit for the trainees and the projects. The PIs have designed all projects in a way that fosters collaboration between trainees from complementary backgrounds, and thus, the program will establish a unique platform for training and peer learning.