New graduate school in Lübeck: Antibody research of the future!

New graduate school in Lübeck: Antibody research of the future!

At the University of Lübeck, research into immune mechanisms is gaining new momentum. The new graduate school GRK3095 will begin its work in spring 2026. The focus is on the background of antibody reactions, particularly in the skin, lungs and intestines. The funding comes from the German Research Foundation (DFG) and is led by the two renowned professors, Prof. Dr. Rudolf Manz (ISEF) and Prof. Dr. Stefanie Derer-Petersen (Institute of Nutritional Medicine), headed.

The college aims to gain a deep understanding of the activation of B cells, which play a central role in antibody formation. The researchers want to decipher the mechanisms that cause both protective and pathogenic antibodies. The interdisciplinary approach and the bioinformatics focus create a structured training for doctoral students. They learn, among other things, programming languages, machine learning and interdisciplinary communication in order to be optimally prepared for scientific careers.

A holistic approach

The training concept of the graduate college includes a structured curriculum and tandem supervision. Two overlapping cohorts are intended to create a sustainable peer learning structure. The participation of the Christian Albrechts University of Kiel (CAU) as a co-applicant university strengthens inter-university cooperation and enables broader exchange within the scientific community.

Integration into the existing research landscape is another central element. The graduate school will be part of the Cluster of Excellence “Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation” (PMI), which promotes a close connection between research and clinical application. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to promote young scientists in translational medicine.

Historical roots of immunology

The importance of immunology for health can hardly be overestimated. This discipline studies the body's defense mechanisms against various infections. The body faces microorganisms every day that are potentially pathological. Nevertheless, the majority of people remain healthy, which underlines the efficiency of the immune system. As pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov explains, Edward Jenner was a pioneer in the field in 1796 when he developed the cowpox vaccine for smallpox.

Immunological mechanisms are crucial to understand both acute and chronic diseases. While innate immunity forms the body's first line of defense, adaptive immunity develops specific responses to pathogens. The discovery of antibodies that specifically bind to toxins alone has revolutionized modern medicine. The main groups of pathogens include viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, which can be controlled by various mechanisms including phagocytosis, as dkfz.de reports.

The new initiative in Lübeck helps to further strengthen the education and research location and makes an important contribution to the development of new immunotherapies and vaccines. The future of immune research looks promising, and with the right resources, many breakthroughs will certainly be achieved.