Research Area A

Skin as innate immune barrier

These projects address the key role of exogenous factors like microbes (Peschel/Schittek, Diefenbach/Wolz, von Stebut-Borschitz) or non-microbial danger signals (Yazdi/Ghoreschi, Radsak/Stassen, Steinbrink, Feyerabend/Rodewald) and their impact on skin resident cells such as keratinocytes, Langerhans cells, DCs, and mast cells. This research area will combine the knowledge on various exogenous stimuli that influence the initiation, maturation, and the differentiation of skin immune responses. The synergistic approaches will result in a better understanding of the molecular and cellular pathways leading to either protective or destructive immune reactions.