Collaborative Research Center "Immune-Epithelial Communication in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases" (TRR241)
The TRR241 is a joint research initiative of researchers in Erlangen, Berlin, Kiel and Innsbruck supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG). The TRR241 aims to better understand the molecular and cellular processes that lead to the development of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), chronic relapsing inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
The driving hypothesis of our initiative is that a dysregulated signal exchange between the gut epithelium and immune cells and the consequences thereof are key drivers in the pathogenesis of IBD and we are confident that our specialized and multi-modal approaches to investigate these processes will give rise to unique and innovative therapeutic strategies to counter IBD.
Our research network brings together a group of highly experienced gastroenterologists, immunologists and cellular and molecular biologists with expertise in experimental, translational and clinically-oriented research to ensure the realization of our aims. With the establishment of TRR241, we not only join forces between the current strongholds of IBD research in Germany, but also link two of the largest German IBD outpatient clinics (Erlangen, Berlin) with more than 8000 IBD patient contacts per year, thereby establishing an IBD network with outstanding fundamental and translational structures.
The research program of our consortium has been designed to advance not only basic concepts of IBD development, but also to provide an outstanding platform for translational studies and pre-clinical and clinical testing. Our research efforts are built on a solid fundament of state-of-the-art technology platforms, such as in vivo imaging, next generation sequencing, intestinal organoid technology and molecular imaging.
About the project
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD: Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis) are characterized by chronic relapsing inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract. Due to the progressive and destructive nature and the increasing frequency of both disorders, new insights into their pathophysiology as a rational basis for innovative therapeutic approaches are urgently needed.
many open questions
However, the etiological background of these diseases remains poorly understood and still holds many open questions, particularly with regard to the in-depth understanding of local cell – cell interactions.
Initiative between Erlangen an Berlin
As a joined initiative between Erlangen and Berlin, the TRR 241 will integrate aspects and knowledge about mucosal immune regulation and epithelial barrier defense into a new concept highlighting the role of immune-epithelial communication in the pathogenesis of IBD.
Start - Collaborative Research Center Transregio 241
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD: Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis) are characterized by chronic relapsing inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract. Due to the progressive and destructive nature and the increasing frequency of both disorders, new insights into their pathophysiology as a rational basis for innovative therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. However, the etiological background of these diseases remains poorly understood and still holds many open questions, particularly with regard to the in-depth understanding of local cell – cell interactions. As a joined initiative between Erlangen and Berlin, the TRR 241 will integrate aspects and knowledge about mucosal immune regulation and epithelial barrier defense into a new concept highlighting the role of immune-epithelial communication in the pathogenesis of IBD.
The driving hypothesis of our initiative is that a dysregulated signal exchange between the epithelium and immune cells and the consequences thereof contribute to the pathogenesis of IBD and we are confident that our specialized and multi-modal approaches to investigate these processes will give rise to unique and innovative strategies to counter IBD. This CRC initiative brings together a group of highly experienced gastroenterologists, immunologists and cellular and molecular biologists with expertise in experimental, translational and clinically-oriented research to ensure the realization of the aims defined in this proposal. The research program of this CRC has been designed to advance not only basic concepts of IBD development, but also to provide an outstanding platform for translational studies and pre-clinical and clinical testing. Our research efforts are built on a solid fundament of state-of-the-art technology platforms, such as in vivo imaging, next generation sequencing, intestinal organoid technology and molecular imaging present in both Erlangen and Berlin.
News and Topics
Newsletter 12/2019
Newsletter 12/2019 Here you can find our first Newsletter from December 2019: TRR241 Newsletter 12.2019
Joint TRR241 Workshop 2019 at Schloss Thurn, October 28th – 30th, 2019
Joint TRR241 Workshop 2019 at Schloss ThurnOctober 28th – 30th, 2019 The TRR241 welcomed all members for the joint workshop in Schloss Thurn. In addition
Newsletter 06/2019
Newsletter 06/2019 Here you can find our first Newsletter from June 2019: TRR241 Newsletter 06.2019