Our research is focusing on the inflammatory and immunological mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions in the human alveolar compartment. Using vital human lung tissue or adult-stem cell derieved lung organoids, we model aspects of pneumonia caused by key respiratory pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, influenza A virus (IAV), or corona viruses.

To dissect cellular communication - particularly between alveolar macrophages and alveolar epithelial and endothelial cells - we apply a broad range of molecular biology and biochemical techniques. A central pillar of our work is high-end fluorescence microscopy, which allows us to visualize infection dynamics in real time. Techniques include live-cell and -tissue imaging, Light Sheet microscopy, FLIM-FRET, FCS, FRAP, spectral imaging, linear unmixing, high-content slide scanning, and super-resolution microscopy.