Research focus

​NOD-like receptors (NLRs) represent a family of intracellular receptors by which immune cells detect and mount immune responses against invading pathogens. Mutations in NLR genes are associated with auto-inflammatory and -immune disorders, including Crohn’s disease, arthritis, diabetes, period fever syndromes, asthma, atopic eczema, Blau syndrome and vitiligo. While some NLRs regulate NF-κB signaling and interferon responses, another subset of the 22 NLR proteins encoded in the human genome is responsible for production of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 through activation of the cysteine protease caspase-1 in protein complexes termed ‘inflammasomes’.

A major challenge in NLR and inflammasome research is that our current knowledge of NLR signaling pathways and disease function is highly fragmented. The long-term aim of the “NLR and inflammasome signaling” research unit is to gain insight into the role of NLRs and inflammasomes in human disease. To achieve our goal, we integrate enabling proteomics and genomics technologies for pathway discovery with detailed biochemical, cell biological and in vivo studies of NLR function. Translation of newly gained knowledge will contribute to the development of innovative diagnostics and therapeutic approaches for autoimmune and infectious diseases.