Priority Research Area Asthma and Allergy
Clinical and Molecular Allergology
Mission 
Projects Funding Techniques Conference Organization Publications Staff
Head.
Allergy Outpatient Clinic, Medical Clinic, Research Center Borstel, Head.
"Weiterbildungsermächtigung" Allergy
Mission
The Division of Clinical and Molecular Allergology is working on the elucidation of sensitization routes and the pathomechanisms of allergy and asthma. In order to achieve these goals we identify allergenic (glyco-/lipo-) proteins and epitopes in allergen sources (inhalant allergens, foods, and biological drugs), isolate and structurally characterize them. These well-characterized molecules are used to improve allergy diagnostic tests, a prerequisite for patient-tailored diagnostics. They are also used for investigating the influence of allergen structures on allergy / asthma development and on the severity and organ-manifestations of allergic symptoms. Because of the close association of the research group with two allergy outpatient clinics (Allergy Outpatient Clinic, Borstel, and the Interdisciplinary Allergy Outpatient Clinic at the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, UKSH, University of Lübeck), (A) the patients are provided with the latest research results (translation of basic science), and (B) basic science is performed with primary material from well-characterized patients in studies with ethical approval.
In the course of the projects, marker allergens will be identified that will allow to determine the individual risk of patients a.) to develop allergy and/or asthma, and b) in the case of already existing allergy to predict the severity of a reaction, the exacerbation of a pre-existing bronchial asthma, and (c) to choose the most beneficial treatment option for the individual patient in the future. Our recent findings regarding structure and function additionally are the basis for the development of novel treatment options.