Overview of the Institute 

 

The Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics (MPI-IE) in Freiburg is an interdisciplinary research institution that conducts basic research in two key areas of modern biology. 

 

Immunobiology is concerned with the ways multicellular organisms defend themselves against pathogens. We study the evolutionary origins and the development of lymphoid organs and immune effector cells, the function of antigen receptors, and the genetic basis of host-pathogen interactions. This information underpins efforts to better diagnose and treat immunodeficiency and inflammatory diseases.

 

Epigenetics is the study of inheritable traits that are not caused by changes in the underlying DNA sequence. Epigenetic mechanisms are crucial for the organization and utilization of our genetic information. Since the susceptibility to diseases can be promoted by epigenetic dysfunction, epigenetic research has far-reaching implications for diagnosis and therapy of human disease.

 

The MPI-IE with its more than 300 employees currently hosts more than 10 research groups, which are supported by state-of-the-art scientific facilities. For the training of young scientists, we offer an international PhD program, the International Max Planck Research School for Epigenetics, Biophysics and Metabolism (IMPRS-EBM). 

 

 

 

 

Focus on epigenetics

 

“Are we more than the sum of our genes and how can environmental cues alter gene expression?” While almost all cell types (ca. 200) within the human body share an identical DNA sequence, its utilization will differ significantly depending on the designated function of the cell. The DNA template within the cell nucleus is wrapped and protected by specific proteins (histones). This DNA-histone polymer is called chromatin. Stable chromatin alterations that do not affect the DNA sequence are summarized under the term ‚epigenetics‘.

 

Due to the plasticity of chromatin states, a genome has a variety of epigenetic variants (epigenomes). Establishment and maintenance of these epigenomes is critical for embryonic development, cell type identity, and cell differentiation. Although many diseases (e.g., cancer, neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders) are primarily caused by DNA mutations, epigenetic disregulation can significantly contribute to disease progression. Thus, epigenetic research promises far-reaching implications for new forms of therapy and diagnosis. Epigenetic changes also allow responses to environmental influences such as nutrition, stress, and hormones. Intriguingly, there is growing evidence that epigenetic alterations might even be inheritable over a few generations.

 

The research groups with an epigenetic focus combine topics addressing dosage compensation, heterochromatin formation, and posttranslational modifications of histones. A variety of model organisms and experimental approaches (biochemistry, cell biology, Drosophila and mouse genetics, and genome-wide profiling) are used to dissect the epigenome of distinct cell types.

 

 

 

 

Focus on immunobiology

 

Immunobiology is concerned with the ways multicellular organisms defend themselves against the onslaught of pathogens. They have evolved a plethora of strategies to guard their bodily integrity and to promote survival and reproduction.

 

Also for humans, a properly functioning immune system is of central importance. Indeed, of all branches of medicine, the translation of results from immunological research to medical treatments over the last two centuries has probably had the most significant impact on human life expectancy. Many devastating infectious diseases have lost their grip on humankind, thanks to preventive strategies such as vaccination and general hygiene. Furthermore, immunology provides us with critical information for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancer that can afflict many organ systems and are a substantial burden to patients and modern health care systems.

 

Our current research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying lymphocyte generation from haematopoietic stem cells. Of exceptional interest are factors within lymphocytes and those emanating from the microenvironment in lymphoid organs that foster the emergence of mature effector cells. Apart from sophisticated in vitro systems, we use a wide range of animal model systems to study various aspects of the immune system in a physiological context.

 
Additionally, immunobiology serves as a paradigmatic research field for key questions in modern biology, such as cellular identity, cell–cell interactions, the structure of protein complexes, and signal transduction in cells.