Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI

Department of Immunology

Procedures to stimulate or suppress the immune system are developed in the Department of Immunology. These include vaccines on innovative technology platforms, e.g. novel inactivation methods or plasmid DNA. As such, efficient vaccines can be produced quickly and inexpensively. A further topic is improving the problem-free healing of transplants by the induction of specific tolerance. Furthermore, procedures are being developed to monitor immunoreactivity and to control dysfunctions such as graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Bacteriostatic peptides and peptide banks for the analysis of immune reactions in food allergies are a further focus. Novel imaging procedures help analyze immunological and cell biological processes.

Vaccine Technologies

The unit develops diagnostic assays and prevention strategies for infectious diseases, in human and veterinary medicine. A strong focus is on zoonoses and (re-)emerging viral infections.

Immune Tolerance

The unit aims to develop cell-therapeutic methods and antibody-based therapeutic strategies (immuno-oncology) for the treatment of hematologic-oncologic diseases (e.g. leukemia) and complications resulting from hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (e.g. Graft-versus-Host-Disease, GvHD).

Ligand Development

The unit focuses on the interaction of biomolecules, in particular the identification of peptides for tumor targeting and antibody characterization. A new peptide phage display method is combined with modern devices and measurement methods.

Antimicrobial Agents

The goal of this unit is the development of a preventative and at least partially curative gene therapy for arthrosclerosis.

Preclinical Validation

The center for animal experimentation is a preclinical development hub within the Fraunhofer IZI network. Our qualified members of staff, who are particularly experienced in the hygienic management of animals, have access to modern facilities which fulfil the highest standards in animal husbandry.

Biological Material Analytics

The Biological Material Analytics Unit supports the development of implants through research projects that are focused on defined immunologically effective, bioceramic materials and develops standardized, immunobiological test procedures for innovative (bioceramic) implant materials, especially in the field of dentistry but also endoprosthetics.

Image Analysis of Cell Function

The Image Analysis of Cell Function Unit develops new, bespoke image analysis methods for the non-destructive, microscopy-based quantification of physiological and pathological processes.