Main Goals
 
Our research aims to understand i) the development of tissue-specific autoimmunity ii) the interaction of the nervous system with the immune system under inflammatory conditions:

1. Immuno-regulatory properties of central nervous system (CNS)-resident cells in vivo: Specific focus on inflammatory conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)
2. Ag-presentation and processing in the central nervous system
3. Identification of pathogenic molecules specific for autoimmune T lymphocytes
4. The role of innate immunity in the CNS
5. Immune tolerance and lymphoid development
6. Small interfering RNA as a means of gene-suppression of candidate target genes involved in encephalitogenicity.
7. In vivo bioluminescence imaging of signalling events, apoptosis and cell migration
8. The role of humoral immunity in the generation of CNS-inflammation

Projects
 
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Much of the current knowledge on MS-pathophysiology is derived from its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Our research group studies EAE and the mechanistic underpinnings of this disorder.
 
Techniques and Equipment
 
In vivo immunology using gene-targeted and transgenic mice, Immune-modulation, protein biochemistry, molecular biology, RNA-interference, lentiviral gene transfer, in vivo bioluminescence imaging, gene-targeting and ES-cell culture.
 
Funding
 
Swiss National Research Foundation
Swiss MS-Society
National MS-Society (USA)
Nan J. Gascoigne Memorial Fund
Koetser Foundation
Marie Heim Voegtlin Fund
NCCR Neural Plasticity and Repair
Roche Research Foundation
SERONO Pharmaceuticals
University of Zurich

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