Molecular fine-tuning of immune response

A new research training group (RTG) at FAU aims to help better understand the molecular regulatory mechanisms of immune response. ‘FAIR – Fine-tuning of the adaptive immune response’ is one of eleven research training groups funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) for an initial period of four and a half years from October 2020.

The research training group includes 17 doctoral projects focusing on immunological research from natural sciences and medicine – from immunology, oncology, genetics and radiation therapy – which aim to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of immune response. Research questions include which molecules attenuate, activate and regulate the immune response and how derailing immune responses are triggered. The aim is to use the latest methods of high-resolution imaging and molecular biology, such as CRISPR/Cas technology, with which the DNA of immune and target cells can be processed in a targeted manner.

Graduates, some of whom can even start their doctoral project immediately after completing an outstanding Bachelor’s degree, will be well prepared for their academic careers within the FAIR project. This includes the possibility of a stay abroad as well as taking on responsibility for organising events independently – for example a scientific symposium, to which top researchers from all over the world will come to Erlangen.

FAIR is initially being funded by the DFG with 5.5 million euros for four and a half years which may be extended by a further four and a half years on positive evaluation. The speaker of the RTG is Prof. Dr. Hans-Martin Jäck, Head of Molecular Immunology at the Department of Medicine III. Co-speakers are Prof. Dr. Diana Dudziak, Professor of Dendritic Cell Biology at the Department of Dermatology and Prof. Dr. Udo Gaipl, Head of Radiation Immunology at Universitätsklinikum Erlangen.

Further information

Prof. Dr. Hans-Martin Jäck
+49 9131 85 35913
hans-martin.jaeck@fau.de