Neuroinflammation

Main Goals

Our research aims to understand mechanisms leading to neuroinflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis and to develop novel approaches for therapy and prevention

Previous, Current and Future Research:

• Infectious triggers and genetic susceptibility factors in MS

• Innate immune mechanisms in neuroinflammatory diseases

• Antigen recognition in autoimmune tissue inflammation

• Biomarkers for disease classification and treatment response in MS and immune-mediated neuromuscular diseases

• Mechanisms of immunotherapy and development of novel therapeutic strategies to treat neuroinflammatory diseases

Techniques and Equipment
Standard protocols in immunology (cell culture techniques, flow cytometry, cell sorting, cytokine detection assays, ELISPOT, ELISA), cell and molecular biology, protein biochemistry (immunhisto- and -cytochemistry, confocal microscopy, single cell PCR, real-time PCR, siRNA, western blot analysis, lentiviral techniques). Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis models (active immunization and T cell transfer). In vivo immunology using transgenic mice.

Funding
Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF)
Gemeinnuetzige Hertie Stiftung
Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Society
Koetser Foundation for Brain Research
Ernst Schering Foundation
Baxter BioScience Grants Program
University of Zurich