Welcome to the webpages of the Department of Innate Immunity at the University of Tübingen. The department is led by Prof. Alexander Weber, PhD and emerged out of his research group which has existed at the University’s Medical Faculty since 2011.
Our research focus is the human innate immune system, especially so-called pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Although the major focus is basic research the lab is also involved in clinical and translational studies with partners at the University Hospital Tübingen. The department is also affiliated with the Clusters of Excellence iFIT & CMFI, the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and multiple DFG-funded research networks. Our scope spans from the molecular level (where it is mostly focused on pattern recognition receptors as primary danger sensors of the immune system) via subcellular aspects of signaling and cellular responses to the intercellular context and the interactions of immune cells with various tissue cells. A particular emphasis is on the control of inflammation and on imaging but other state-of-the-art methods are also employed in our well-funded laboratory.
Our team is dynamic and highly international and enjoys a very positive working atmosphere. We are strongly dedicated to Good Scientific Practice and committed to continuing professional development of which annual appraisals and retreats are a hallmark.
The department also seeks to nucleate new local and international initiatives in the area of immunology, e.g. via the network Innate Immunity @Tübingen. Via the bi-annual Novel Concepts of Innate Immunity (NCII) conference series the department seeks to continue the long tradition of Tübingen in the discovery of mediators of Innate Immunity, most notably the discovery of the Toll receptor.
