Prof. Dr. Thorsten Buch
Area of Research
Description of Research Interest
We investigate the multi-layered tolerance system that prohibits autoimmunity and allergy. We study how thymic tolerance is achieved and how tolerance is broken in the periphery. We also investigate how the latter can be used to treat cancer. While the general concept of thymic tolerance is clear, it is not understood what gives autoreactive thymocytes the ability to commit suicide. We have generated a mouse model in which we can follow a cohort of cells through development. This allows direct comparison of cells in different selecting and non-selecting environments. In another approach we use the CRISPR/Cas9 technology to screen for and identify relevant genes. The same technology is applied to confirm the in vitro results in vivo by rapid generation of gene-modified animals in our facility. To study the underlying causes of tolerance breakdown we use mouse models of multiple sclerosis and allergic asthma. Currently we investigate the role of pattern recognition receptors such as the TLR system and specific alarmins by breeding together multiple deficiencies or even create them through CRISPR/Cas9 when the genes are clustered on one chromosome. While in autoimmunity and allergy the breakdown of tolerance constitutes a pathological process, such a breakdown can be hijacked for the use in cancer therapy (cancer vaccination, checkpoint inhibitors). We investigate improved biologicals for glioma therapy.
Special Expertise
Gene modification in the mouse
Animal experiments and experimental design
T cell tolerance
Multiple Sclerosis and Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Animal Ethics
Shareable Platforms, Services, Equipment & Infrastructure
Transgenic technologies for the mouse
Reproductive technologies for the mouse
Protocols in animal experimentation
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