The haematology and immunology research group deals with all components of the blood, in particular with immune cells, which we cultivate and analyze as part of our research projects. Our laboratory equipment (Sysmex XN-1000, STA Compact Max 3, autoMACSneo) also enables us to offer a wide range of standard and special blood analyses. In our practical courses, we also prepare students for the challenging tasks in laboratory diagnostics in the fields of haematology and haemostaseology.

Our projects focus on research into the pathomechanisms of inflammatory skin diseases and bacterial infections as well as future therapeutic approaches. We work “animal free”, using human primary immune cells in combination with various techniques, including flow cytometry (FACS), qPCR, biochemical assays and histology/microscopy. We also develop in vitro model systems to study inflammatory diseases in detail. This allows us to better understand the underlying molecular mechanisms and test potential therapeutic interventions. Our goal is to expand the understanding of immune functions and their role in disease and to develop innovative therapeutic approaches.

Membership in network
Biotechnet

ORCID digital identifier
ORCID ID: 0000-0001-9477-4282

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• Complete list of publications
• Besançon H, Larpin Y, Babiychuk VS, Köffel R, Babiychuk EB. Engineered Liposomes Protect Immortalized Immune Cells from Cytolysins Secreted by Group A and Group G Streptococci. Cells. 2022 Jan 5;11(1):166. doi: 10.3390/cells11010166. PMID: 35011729; PMCID: PMC8749993.
• Besançon H, Babiychuk V, Larpin Y, Köffel R, Schittny D, Brockhus L, Hathaway LJ, Sendi P, Draeger A, Babiychuk E. Tailored liposomal nanotraps for the treatment of Streptococcal infections. J Nanobiotechnology. 2021 Feb 15;19(1):46. doi: 10.1186/s12951-021-00775-x. PMID: 33588835; PMCID: PMC7885208.
• Borek I, Köffel R, Feichtinger J, Spies M, Glitzner-Zeis E, Hochgerner M, Sconocchia T, Krump C, Tam-Amersdorfer C, Passegger C, Benezeder T, Tittes J, Redl A, Painsi C, Thallinger GG, Wolf P, Stary G, Sibilia M, Strobl H. BMP7 aberrantly induced in the psoriatic epidermis instructs inflammation-associated Langerhans cells. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2020 Apr;145(4):1194-1207.e11. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2019.12.011. Epub 2019 Dec 21. PMID: 31870764.
• Larpin Y, Besançon H, Iacovache MI, Babiychuk VS, Babiychuk EB, Zuber B, Draeger A, Köffel R. Bacterial pore-forming toxin pneumolysin: Cell membrane structure and microvesicle shedding capacity determines differential survival of cell types. FASEB J. 2020 Jan;34(1):1665-1678. doi: 10.1096/fj.201901737RR. Epub 2019 Dec 4. PMID: 31914676.
• Köffel R, Wolfmeier H, Larpin Y, Besançon H, Schoenauer R, Babiychuk VS, Drücker P, Pabst T, Mitchell TJ, Babiychuk EB, Draeger A. Host-Derived Microvesicles Carrying Bacterial Pore-Forming Toxins Deliver Signals to Macrophages: A Novel Mechanism of Shaping Immune Responses. Front Immunol. 2018 Jul 27;9:1688. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01688. PMID: 30100903; PMCID: PMC6072879.