Disciplines and Fields
The Interdisciplinary research done at the Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IKL) mainly focuses on 8 interconnected disciplines and fields. To perform investigations in the disciplines of Immunology, Hematology, Oncology, and Neurology, we leverage our experience in the fields of Inflammation, Metabolism, Epigenetics, and Hypoxia. Our research projects deal with the process of leukocyte recruitment, the activation of innate immunity cells , the regulation of blood formation, cell metabolism, especially of immune cells, and hypoxia-induced processes in various inflammatory-metabolic diseases. We also focus on the neurochemical analysis of endocrine diseases and epigenetic mechanisms.
Given the interdisciplinarity of the groups and overlap in the disciplines and fields of interest, many collaborative projects within IKL leverage complementary expertise cultivated by the groups.
Oncology
Seven groups investigate tumor regulation mainly through investigating mechanisms in epigenetics (Menschikowski and Mirtschink), metabolism (Alves, Elgendy, and Bechmann) , hypoxia (Wielockx) and inflammation (Kalafati).
Hematology
The Wielockx and Kalafati labs also study haematopoiesis through mechanisms in hypoxia and inflammation, respectively. Additionally, the Chavakis/Chung lab study the regulation of haematopoiesis through metabolic inflammation.
Immunology
Five labs focus on the regulation of innate immunity through mechanisms of inflammation (Chavakis/Chung), metabolism (Alexaki, Alves, and Chavakis/Chung), Hypoxia (Wielockx), and epigenetics (Mirtschink).