RTF IV: Experimental Models of Inflammation

Coordinators: R. Ludwig (UzL), J. Baines (CAU, MPI), J. Köhl (UzL), A. Scheffold (CAU)

RTF IV is an interdisciplinary platform, which develops and provides individualized mouse models for chronic inflammatory barrier diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In particular, individual changes of patients are investigated in the genome and the microbiome, e.g. through organoids, specialized cell models which were generated from the cells of diseased patients and then transferred into mice. We also offer high-resolution immunological, genetic and imaging techniques, in order to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie the development and regulation of inflammatory diseases.

The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Plön, in cooperation with Kiel University, has a gnotobiotic lab in a new, state-of-the-art mouse facility. This enables the researchers to investigate sterile (germ-free) animals, and conduct fecal transplantation and colonization experiments, which are key projects of TI-1, for example. The Institute of Immunology in Kiel and the Institute for Systemic Inflammation Research in Lübeck also offer central cytometry platforms, which enable high-resolution cell sorting and multi-parameter characterization of disease-relevant cell populations for the different cluster projects.

The main goal of this research area is to provide individualized experimental models for patient groups, in order to define individual disease principles and treatment strategies, while taking into account the most important aspects of patient genome and microbiome, i.e. the hologenome. In particular, those involved will develop or further improve state-of-the-art, individualized mouse models of inflammatory diseases. In doing so, the identification and characterization of disease-relevant cell populations through state-of-the-art cytometry is an essential step within precision medicine.

The research area has great potential to define new aspects of genetic, immunological and microbial factors which drive the development of diseases, including the transition from non-harmful microorganisms living in symbiosis to harmful microorganisms, and the associated immunological processes.

RTF IV provides state-of-the-art experimental in vivo models, as well as a platform for high-resolution immunological cell analysis of clinical samples and samples from the experimental models. These approaches enable the validation of new therapeutic target structures, the evaluation of personalized therapeutic approaches including the influence of the microbiome and the identification of new molecular mechanisms underlying chronic inflammatory diseases.

RTF IV works closely together with RTF I, RTF II and TI-1, from which it obtains the data of the individual genomic and metagenomic differences between the patients. The high-resolution immunological cell analysis is provided for TIs 2-4 and CDs 1-5, and thus fulfils a central function in the cluster.

What does this research area’s work build on

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What does the research area contribute to precision medicine in chronic inflammation?

Cooperation with other research areas in the cluster

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