Unit | Clinical Immunology

Our group focuses on systems-immunology-based approaches within the framework of Phase I to III clinical trials. We aim to identify surrogates of protection as well as host factors elicited by subunit and whole parasite vaccines against tuberculosis (TB) and malaria. Clinical trials are performed with our partners of the Ifakara Health Institute in Bagamoyo. Further, the unit develops novel diagnostic tools for paediatric clinical TB in high endemic countries.

Co-Morbidity

Co-morbidity studies analyse the impact of non-communicable diseases on immune responses against infectious diseases, particularly TB. Unit researchers also work to understand the consequences of helminth co-infections on malaria, TB and HIV pathogenesis and immunity.

Daubenberger C. Genetically modified malaria parasites as vaccine candidates. Trends Mol Med. 2023;29(1):1-3. DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2022.11.005

GarcĂ­a G.A et al. Identifying individual, household and environmental risk factors for malaria infection on Bioko Island to inform interventions. Malar J. 2023;22:72. DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04504-7

Separautzki L.A. Looking for a partner: T cell receptor interaction with cellular ligands. Basel: Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 2023. MSc Thesis

Caduff L et al. Inferring transmission fitness advantage of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern from wastewater samples using digital PCR, Switzerland, December 2020 through March 2021. Euro Surveill. 2022;27(10):2100806. DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2022.27.10.2100806

Daubenberger C, Burrows J.N. Volunteer infection studies accelerate the clinical development of novel drugs against malaria. Lancet Infect Dis. 2022;22(6):753-754. DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(21)00679-4