Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR)

Translational Immunology - TIM

Bachmann & Vogel Lab

Ongoing Projects

Regulation of the immune response

Viruses, virus-like particles are used to probe the protective capacity of the induced immune responses. Key problems that are addressed are how optimal T and B cell responses are induced and maintained and how they are influenced by Toll-like and other innate receptor stimulation. Induction and maintenance of memory B cells is a further subject of interest. Understanding the cellular networks of the immune system is of significant medical interest since i) prophylactic vaccines, which are the most effective medical intervention known to date, are based on the induction of long-lived immune responses and ii) a deregulated immune system is the underlying cause of many chronic diseases and autoimmunity.

Applied research

In the last 10 years, we have taken the basic research performed in mice one step further and several clinical trials have been performed or are now ongoing. Clinical proof of concept has been obtained in different indications such as smoking cessation, allergy, asthma, hypertension, cancer and influenza virus infection. A vaccine against Alzheimer`s disease, CAD106, is currently tested by Novartis in phase III studies. We are currently working towards clinical testing of a novel vaccines against allergy and on precision medicine vaccines against cancer.

Research in allergy field

The incidence of allergy has increased over the last few decades and it is estimated that 30-40% of the world population suffer from an allergic disease such as eczema, hay fever or asthma. In allergic disorder allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) together with mast cells are the key players of the development of the allergic reaction. Mast cells are one of the most important effector and immunoregulatory cells in allergy and are activated by IgE cross-linked by specific allergens. Allergen-specific IgE binds to the high affinity IgE receptor (Fc℮RI) expressed on the surface of mast cells leading to cross-linking of IgE-bound Fc℮RI and resulting in the release of pro-inflammatory mediators. Given their important roles in the pathophysiology of allergic disorders we are trying on one hand to gain closer insights into the mechanisms underlying IgE production by B cells with an emphasis on CD23, the low affinity receptor for IgE. CD23 has been generally associated with negative regulation of IgE but is also known to promote IgE-facilitated antigen uptake. This leads to subsequent activation of allergen-specific T cells and the production of allergen-specific IgG in vivo. On the other hand, we are aiming to get a better understanding of the biology of the mast cells especially in the complex interplay of positive and negative signaling leading to their activation and the release of Th2 cytokines. This may skew in allergy patient to a Th2-driven response leading to the overproduction of IgE.