Pediatric Immunology Research | Georg Holländer

Using gene targeting we have generated unique tools that allow compartment-specific, experimental gain- and loss-of-function models in mice to interrogate aspects of thymus development and function at the cellular and molecular level.

A special interest of our research is focused on studying the role of specific transcription factors such as Foxn1 and understanding the epigenetic «code» that determine the regulatory principles operative in TEC biology. Taking advantage of different molecular methods integrating imaging, flow cytometry, spatial transcriptomics and epigenomics, we analyze specific TEC subpopulations at distinct developmental stages in health and disease. Numerical, structural and functional changes in TEC are related to to the ability to maintain regular immunological functions, in particular the establishment and maintenance of immunological tolerance.