The Institute generates news every day. Some findings are groundbreaking—some represent smaller steps. But ultimately, it is the combination of both that makes scientific advancement possible. Here is a little selection of the latest stories making it out to the wider world.
Dr. Markus Barden conducts research at the Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT) in the Genetic-Immunotherapy Division, focusing in particular on how CAR T cells can recognize their target structures even more precisely. In the podcast “Wirkstoffradio”, he explains what a CAR T cell is, how T cells identify target structures, and what reactions follow.
Prof. Dr. Philipp Beckhove, Scientific Director at the LIT, explains in an interview with the Science Blog of the University of Regensburg what influence Sakaguchi’s discovery of “peripheral” immune tolerance, in particular regulatory T cells (Tregs), had on immunology, how the collaboration with Shimon Sakaguchi came about, and how the new findings are paving the way for future immunotherapies.
The LIT was pleased to host „Alzheimer’s Research Meets Art“ – an Art Exhibition inspired by the Biomedical Research by Prof. Stefan Rüdiger.
For those who were unable to attend in person, we have now published photographs of the exhibited pieces accompanied by explanatory texts on our website.
Leading experts met at the 2nd Annual Workshop of the Center for Cellular Cancer Therapy (C3T) in Stockholm to discuss the future of cellular cancer therapies. 13 members of the Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT) made a strong impression reflecting its commitment to advancing immunotherapy and global collaboration.
How can we better prepare for future pandemics? This question is the focus of the Leibniz Lab Pandemic Preparedness, of which the Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT) recently became a member. The LIT will contribute by investigating the molecular mechanisms of secondary diseases resulting from infections, such as ME/CFS or Long COVID syndrome, in greater detail.
Regulatory T cells (Tregs), a specialized type of immune cells, are usually seen as “peacekeepers” that prevent excessive immune attacks. Surprisingly, a new study published in “Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy” shows that Tregs utilize inflammatory signals to start repair processes following cancer therapy. The research conducted by the LIT Cooperation Group “Innate Immune Sensing in Cancer and Transplantation” in cooperation with researchers from the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) uncovers how the body`s own immune system can be harnessed to repair the intestinal lining and improve survival.
A consensus statement published in “Nature Reviews Immunology” provides consensus definitions for common T cell subsets, and additionally proposes a modular nomenclature for defining T cell states – both to facilitate clearer communication of findings and concepts to researchers, students and clinicians. Prof. Carmen Gerlach, Head of Research Division “Tailored T-Cell Diversity” at the LIT, is one of the authors.
The executive boards of the Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT) and the German Rheumatology Research Center (DRFZ) in Berlin have signed a “Memorandum of Understanding”. The two Scientific Directors, Prof. Dr. Philipp Beckhove and Prof. Dr. Eicke Latz, aim for strategic cooperation in the areas of research, training, scientific infrastructure, and data exchange, including the establishment of a joint working group.
For about six months since March, around 50 postdocs, PhDs and master students at the LIT went through an entire curriculum program mediating knowledge about Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
A “Nature Communications” study from the LIT Cooperation Group “Innate Immune Sensing in Cancer and Transplantation” reveals how a microbial metabolite safeguards the intestinal barrier and drives stem cell-mediated regeneration after injury.
