Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT)
The LIT is a research institute within the Leibniz Association located in Regensburg, Germany.
The human immune system is responsible for holding off viruses and fighting cancer cells. It is one of the most complex systems within the human body. Interventions in the immune system can protect from diseases in the case of vaccination, ease terminal illnesses such as rheumatism, or increase the effectiveness of therapies such as transplantations or chemotherapy. Cure rates for lymph-gland cancer, for example, have improved drastically with the introduction of antibody therapies, and survival rates after organ transplant have also increased.
Medical research has shown that the human immune system engages with far more diseases than previously recognized, and should therefore be considered in the development of more therapies. One of the biggest challenges in modern medicine is to intervene effectively in the immune system without causing too many side effects. The intervention chosen depends on whether the immune system needs to be reduced, stimulated or suppressed. Conditions such as rheumatism, diabetes, and allergic reactions require a reduction in immune activity, whereas others require the immune system to be stimulated. After transplantation, it is necessary to suppress the immune system to prevent it rejecting transplanted organs or stem cells.
Mission
The Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy has a clear mission to develop innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer, autoimmunity, and chronic inflammation by reprogramming immune cells through synthetic and pharmacological strategies.
Research
The LIT researches and develops new immune cell therapies for the treatment of diseases with deregulated immune function such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, and chronic inflammations, as well as for the prevention and treatment of transplantation complications. The goal of the Institute is to significantly improve medical care for the general public by developing modern cell therapeutics for these widespread diseases which can be associated with aging. Additionally, it is our ambition to set international standards for cell therapy for a wide variety of diseases.
To achieve this goal, we have established three Research Areas to strategically interlink the complementary expertise of all our scientists.
Our Research Divisions, Research Groups, and Facilities and Technology unit are consistently oriented towards joint translational development processes.
Rules of Procedure for Safeguarding Good Research Practice (English version)
Verfahrensordnung zur Sicherung guter wissenschaftlicher Praxis (German version)
Support for young scientists
One of the LIT’s key objectives is to provide exceptional training opportunities for young scientists through all the phases of their careers, as well as support their individual development perspectives. As an independent institute, the LIT can offer a wide range of training programs. Students of relevant subjects can do their bachelor and master theses here, and are integrated into the Institute’s scientific life from the very beginning. Doctoral students go through a structured graduate program which results in a qualification covering a broad range of disciplines. To support the development of an independent research profile, the LIT has implemented a junior research group program, which encourages young scientists to progress a career in further academia or an industry-based management position. These initiatives are described in detail in our Staffing Concept (currently only available in German).
Equal opportunities
The LIT has identified the following priorities in its management and across the entire organization: (1) employee diversity; (2) the provision of equal opportunities; and (3) ensuring a healthy work/life balance. The Institute is governed by the Bavarian Equal Opportunity Act and observes the Implementation Agreements on Equal Opportunity (AV-Glei) in joint research funding. In addition, we voluntarily adhere to the German Research Foundation’s research-oriented equality standards.
The LIT has appointed an equal opportunities representative and a deputy. Their remit is to advise and support the Institute’s management in the achievement of their equal opportunities goals, and to support employees seeking advice on equal opportunity and rights. Please have a look to the details in our Gender Equality Plan (currently only available in German).
The Leibniz Institute has received the TOTAL E-QUALITY award for its exemplary human resources policy which is designed to establish and ensure equal opportunities in a sustainable way. In addition, the LIT is a member of the Dual Career Network for North Bavaria which provides support for dual-career couples to further their careers.
Leadership & Management
Our leadership is totally committed to achieving the LIT’s ambitious goals of developing innovative and effective immune-cell therapeutics for the treatment of previously incurable diseases. To do this, the management uses synergies to ensure—that in all areas of our work—an atmosphere of trust and collaboration is fostered in which an individual’s unique and diverse strengths are harnessed to their full potential.
