Cardiovascular Immunobiology
Our research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of lipid-induced inflammation with relevance to cardiovascular disease and microbial infection. Lipids represent critical structural components of biological membranes as well as a significant energy source for cellular metabolism, and thus are of fundamental importance for the survival of our organism. In addition, endogenous and environmental lipids may become targets of innate and adaptive immune responses. The immune recognition of microbial and self-lipids is essential for successful anti-infectious immunity, but also contributes to chronic inflammation in metabolic disorders, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Current research projects investigate:
- Molecular pathways of lipid-induced vascular inflammation
- Immune regulation by lipid-derived electrophiles
- Innate sensing of lipid antigens by CD1-restricted T cells
- Immunometabolic cross-talk mechanisms: leukocyte function in dyslipidemia
Contact
PD Dr. med. Stefan Freigang
Cardiovascular Immunobiology
Division of Experimental Pathology
Institute of Pathology
University of Bern
Murtenstrasse 31
3008 Bern
Email: stefan.freigang@unibe.ch
Office: +41-31-632 32 05