Synthetic immunology allows to analyze and modify central processes of immune recognition with highest precision at the single cell level. Using DNA nanotechnology and microfluidics, precision and high-throughput tools for characterizing and programming immune cells are being developed. This yields completely new insights for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic methods such as genetically modified immune cells for the treatment of tumor diseases or synthetic vaccines against infectious diseases. At the same time, novel approaches are being pursued using these precision tools to assemble fully artificial immune cells for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Bioinformatic and mathematical models and machine learning tools are being developed to evaluate the complex interactions between natural and artificial immune cells and the host organism.
Coordination: Prof. Dr. Michael Platten, UMM/DKFZ & Dr. Kerstin Göpfrich, MPIMR
Image Credit: Kevin Jahnke
