The Interface Immunology research group is focused on the interaction between biomaterial surfaces and the human immune system. In cooperation with a network of institutions and industrial partners, diverse classes of biomaterials are analyzed with regard to immunological parameters such as immune cell activation and release of immune signaling molecules. A special focus is placed on the combination of chemical and physical material properties with specific immune reactions in order to improve implant biocompatibility.
Services
- Testing and profiling of implants / biomaterials / therapeutics e.g. General cellular responses or cell-specific analysis in vitro
- Immunophenotyping (flow cytometry) and cell sorting (FACS) of ex vivo or in vitro specimens
- Analysis of extracellular, membrane-bound and intracellular molecules using flow cytometry
- Establishment of innovative test systems for customer-specific applications
Techniques, methods, equipment
- Co-culture systems with multiple cell types, immunological culture models, isolation and cultivation of primary human cell types, experimental cell culture models
- Quantitative multi-parametric high-throughput flow cytometry
- Targeted analysis and sorting of specific cell types by FACS (Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting)
- Evaluation of immune profiles based on cytokine production patterns together with the expression of cell surface markers
- Intracellular cytokine analysis of specific cell types
- Fluorescence microscopy of human and animal tissue
Network
EFRE / EU
Land Baden-Württemberg
Universities/Clinics:
University Hospital Tübingen, Reutlingen University of Applied Sciences, Karolinska Institute, University of Athens, KU Leuven, Nottingham Trent University, Health Sciences North Hospital, CIIC Athens, University Hospital Leipzig