GRK 2740:  Immunomicrotope: Microenvironmental, Metabolic and Microbial Signals Regulating Immune Cell-Pathogen Interactions

• Subject Area: Microbiology, Virology and Immunology
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 447268119

In recent years, it has become clear that the tissue microenvironment, milieu factors and the cellular metabolism have a tremendous impact on the development and general function of immune cells. However, it is still poorly understood, to which extent these parameters also govern the antimicrobial defense and the survival of microbial pathogens.The scientific basis of the proposed RTG is the hypothesis that the anti-infectious immune response and its evasion by microorganisms are strongly influenced by the tissue context, the micromilieu components and the metabolism at the site of infection, which we collectively term “immunomicrotope”. Consequently, the overarching goal of our RTG proposal is to train a new generation of scientists, who in their thesis identify host- or microbe-derived factors that shape the microenvironment in the infected tissue and thereby regulate the function of immune cells and/or the persistence of non-viral infectious agents (bacteria, fungi, parasites). The two project areas (tissue microenvironment and milieu factors; metabolism of host immune cells and pathogens) are closely related and interconnected. They fit seamlessly into the research focus “Infectious Diseases and Immunology” at FAU and build on established infectious disease models, the availability of key technologies, and on an excellent infrastructure and scientific environment.The structured training program of the RTG will convey the necessary theoretical knowledge, specific technical capabilities and general research skills to the doctoral candidates in order to allow for an efficient analysis of the “immunomicrotope” and a successful thesis work. Among other components, it consists of seminars on good scientific and laboratory practice, courses on imaging, metabolomics and bioinformatics, international laboratory exchanges, a doctoral candidates´ jour fixe, a guest seminar series, an annual retreat and a biennial international symposium. With the help of a thorough supervision strategy the RTG will promote and foster a professional and creative attitude amongst the doctoral candidates, characterized by enthusiasm for science, commitment to the project and the development of own scientific ideas and concepts. As a future perspective, we believe that the proposed RTG will be an ideal training platform of young investigators for (inter)national research institutions in the field of infectious disease immunology and molecular microbiology.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Christian Bogdan
• Participating Researchers: Professorin Dr. Aline Bozec, Ph.D.; Dr. Heiko Bruns, since 11/2021; Privatdozentin Dr. Katja Dettmer-Wilde; Professor Dr. Jonathan Jantsch; Privatdozentin Dr. Regina Jitschin, Ph.D., until 10/2021; Professor Dr. Sven Krappmann; Dr. Meik Kunz; Professorin Dr. Anja Lührmann; Dr. Michaela Petter; Privatdozentin Dr. Ulrike Schleicher; Professor Dr. Stefan Uderhardt; Professor Dr. David Vöhringer; Privatdozent Dr. Stefan Wirtz; Professor Vasily Zaburdaev, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Mario M. Zaiss