Research

On the one hand, the main focus is on translational, immunologically orientated research. This means that therapeutic options are to be developed for practical application in everyday clinical practice. On the other hand, immune-related forms of therapy and immune regulation form a central field of research. The associated cellular and molecular processes as well as the central role of the immune system in defined diseases are analysed. The focus covers all important areas of modern immunological research and includes the transplantation of donor organs and implants, inadequate, misdirected or excessive immune responses and immune insufficiencies, malignant diseases of the blood and other organs as well as infectious diseases.

The focus is on basic as well as disease- and patient-oriented tumour research, including the analysis of tumour development, the identification of prognostic factors and tumour markers as well as the development of new therapeutic strategies. This is complemented by application-orientated clinical and clinical-experimental activities. The basis for this is provided by the methods already used at the faculty in the fields of genomics, epigenomics, proteomics, lipidomics and metabolomics.

A third focus, which is strongly clinically, but also scientifically defined, concerns the field of transplantation medicine. Both organ (kidney, heart, liver, pancreas) and bone marrow transplants are carried out at the UKR. In recent years, the Transplant Centre in Regensburg has developed into one of the leading centres in Bavaria and has gained a national profile. Through targeted research, transplantation medicine is to be continuously developed further, thus increasing the quality of life and the chances of survival of those affected.

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death in our society and are likely to remain so in the coming years. This new focus of the faculty aims to improve diagnostics and therapy in the field of cardiovascular diseases in the long term. For this reason, the diverse pathomechanisms are being intensively studied through various fundamental scientific approaches, mostly in an interdisciplinary and cross-faculty manner. These include state-of-the-art imaging methods on cardiac muscle cells, electrophysiological techniques, and CRISPR-Cas gene editing, with a particular focus on myocardial function and energetics. In addition, translational approaches up to clinical studies in heart and vascular diseases are used to further advance innovation in this area.