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FLI - Institute of Immunology (FLI - IFI)
Institution
Section overview
Description
Immunological research aims at the elucidation of the cellular and humoral immune responses to virus infections, with special emphasis on the analysis of T-cell dependent immune mechanisms as well as cytokines and chemokines to improve the efficacy of viral vaccines. For this purpose, research is performed in pigs as well as experimental rodents such as mice rats and hamsters. The interaction between viruses and immune cells are studied in order to elucidate immunological pathways after virus infections on the B- and T-cell level. In addition host-virus interactions relevant to the induction of immunological responses are investigated on the cellular level including signal transduction. The model of pestivirus infection is used to identify factors relevant to virulence and to understand their biological roles in disease. Boma disease is investigated as a model of a T-cell mediated immunopathological disease in natural hosts and laboratory animals, where emphasis is given to protective mechanisms by an early induction of humoral and cellular immune reactions; in addition, cellular mechanisms are investigated which result in degeneration of cells of the central nervous system. This work supplements ongoing investigations on pathological changes seen in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Furthermore, investigations on the pathogenesis of prion disease are performed, including molecular biological and cell biological projects. In addition to research on the contribution of the immune system to the pathogenesis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies investigations on the structure and the inactivation of prion protein are performed. Research on fish rhabdoviruses centers on molecular epidemiology and the development of vaccines.
Activities
- Research
Parent institution
Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute - Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (FLI)
Coordinated projects
- Chracterization of the molecular features of the pestivirus Erns protein with regard to its function as structural component of the virion and virulence factor
- Chracterization of the molecular features of the pestivirus Erns protein with regard to its function as structural component of the virion and virulence factor (2. Funding period)
- Development of an ELISA and lateral flow devices for genotype specific identification of the causative agent of American Foulbrood and identification of the causative agent of European Foulbrood of honey bees
- Development of novel vaccine concepts against zoonotic pulmonary infections using the Venezuelan encephalitis equine virus replicon particle vaccine platform
- Development of novel vaccine concepts against zoonotic pulmonary infections using the Venezuelan encephalitis equine virus replicon particle vaccine platform
- Insects as an alternative feed component for fish
- Investigations on the induction of the unspecific and specific immune response after H5N1 influenza virus infection
- Mechanism of action of mRNA vaccines
- Pandemic mRNA vaccines
Involved in research projects
- Biotechnological ruggedness testing of selected rainbow trout (strain BORN) for suitability as a location line and animal model, in various regional aquaculture systems
- Elucidating Pathomechanisms of Bacterial Viral Coinfections with New Biomedical Models
- EPIZONE - Network on epizootic disease diagnosis and control
- Fish breeding lines for locally appropriate aquaculture! The BORN-trout as the location line and animal model for comparative analysis of genetic, immunologic and phenotypic adaptation of farmed fish to regional aquaculture conditions
- Insects as an alternative feed component for fish
- Protecting the food chain from prions: shaping European priorities through basic and applied research (PRIORITY)
Contact
FLI - Institute of Immunology
(FLI - IFI)
Südufer 10
17493 Greifswald
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Germany
Phone: +49 38351 7-1624