Research focus of the Department of Dermatology
The Clinic for Dermatology's research focuses on immunotherapy, inflammatory and infectious skin diseases, skin cancer, surgery and wound healing. Our teams of experts are working to develop innovative approaches to shape the future of medical care in the field of dermatology.
Skin Cancer
We investigate the biology and immunology of cutaneous lymphomas, cutaneous melanomas and epithelial skin cancers. Based on such studies, in particular the tumor microenvironment, we perform interventions in cell cultures and animal models. We use the latest “omics” tools to identify better predictive biomarkers for precision medicine as well as new cancer targets. In a so-called translational research approach, we apply this new knowledge to our patients to provide them with effective treatment with the best increased quality of life. The clinic has established itself as an outstanding skin cancer center offering the best clinical care in combination with pre-clinical and clinical research.
Allergy
We investigate the various aspects, causes and immunology of allergic diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, urticaria, contact allergies, mast cell-related diseases, inhalation allergies (to pollen, mites and animals), insect allergies, food allergies and intolerances as well as drug hypersensitivities. We use a variety of proven clinical test methods, including in vivo tissue provocations (skin, eye, nose, intestine), as well as modern and sophisticated laboratory techniques such as the ImmunoCAP antibody ELISA, ISAC and ALEX antibody arrays, and basophil and lymphocyte activation tests. We also develop and investigate new treatment approaches for allergies, both in preclinical in vitro and in vivo animal models and in humans. These studies include innovative allergen-specific immunotherapies such as ILIT as well as investigations into new biologics, including anti-cytokine antibodies or monoclonal anti-allergen antibodies.
Skin Infections
Our research focuses on bacterial infections (e.g. sexually transmitted infections, prosthesis infections), fungal infections (e.g. dermatomycoses) and microbiome investigations. In our investigations, we use various approaches such as culture-based methods, including cell culture and 3D models, detection of antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy, serology, diagnostic PCR, intervention studies and epidemiologic analyses. In a translational research approach, we apply this new knowledge to our patients to provide effective diagnostic tests, infection prevention and optimized treatment strategies.
Inflammatory skins disease
Inflammatory skin diseases encompass a wide range of conditions that can affect an individual’s health and quality of life. To better understand and treat these diseases, our teams lead and participate in a number of national and international investigator-initiated trials (IITs) and clinical studies, and support and manage extensive registry databases. In addition, our scientists use preclinical in vitro and in vivo models and state-of-the-art methods and technologies to decipher molecular disease mechanisms. The research aims to investigate the pathogenesis and progression of inflammatory skin diseases and to develop more effective interventions. The integration of scientific and clinical expertise facilitates the translation of our projects from laboratory to practice. By translating laboratory results into clinical applications, we identify new therapeutic targets and biomarkers, improve treatment efficacy and ultimately patient care. This makes our clinic a leader on the path to personalized medicine and sets new standards in medical research and patient care for inflammatory skin diseases.
mRNA Technology
In our group we design, optimize, produce, analyze and formulate synthetic mRNAs for internal use or as part of national and international collaborations in basic and preclinical research. Linear, circular and replicative mRNAs can be used as vectors for the expression of all kinds of proteins in vitro and in vivo with different kinetics. Thus, suitable synthetic mRNA vectors can help to understand the role of a particular protein or to validate the therapeutic potential of encoded wild-type or modified proteins. In medicine, following the approval of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19, more and more vaccines and therapies based on synthetic mRNA will be validated, allowing a whole range of unmet medical needs to be met.
Veterinary skin research and development
EVax AG and Saiba Animal Health AG are two start-up companies that are embedded within the Department of Dermatology and work in the field of veterinary medicine. Although the treatment of skin diseases in animals is a central theme in both companies, they also conduct basic research into the pathophysiology of inflammatory diseases in animals and humans.
