The immune system has numerous functions that are essential for human health, such as protection from infection or malignancy, regulation of metabolic homeostasis, and promotion of tissue repair. However, inappropriate immune responses drive chronic inflammatory disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmunity, neurodegeneration, allergies, or various cancers. Therefore, a greater understanding of the immune system will fundamentally advance biomedical research and drive the development of novel preventative, therapeutic and curative treatment strategies for human diseases. The only way to accomplish this is to fully define the complex cellular and molecular networks by which the immune system functionally interacts with itself, other mammalian cell types and beneficial or pathogenic microbes. This is the long-term research goal of the Sonnenberg Laboratory, with a focus on driving highly novel advances, innovative expertise, and paradigm-shifting research that requires out-of-the-box ideas and fresh perspectives.

[...]