Interferons are part of the hereditary, unspecific immune responses of the body. They function as antiviral, immune-modulating, anti-tumoral signal molecules. In particular, interferons are essential for combating "fast" viruses, such as the influenza virus. Interferons reach cells from the outside, but trigger a number of signals inside the cell, some of which, in turn, are again transferred outside the cell. The department "Gene Regulation and Differentiation" studies both the effects of these signal molecules on the initial cell as well as on neighboring cells, and, the "systemic effect" on the entire organism. In the search for the connection between signals and changes in the organism, mathematical models have been developed to describe the interactions by way of a feedback mechanism.

In their investigations, the researchers used cell cultures and animal models (mice). Because normal cells do not divide indefinitely, but instead grow old and die, the cell lines used in the laboratory are generally tumor cells. Tumor cells are immortal because they divide as often as they wish and express different characteristics than their predecessors. One research group has been able to influence normal cells by implanting genes that make them temporarily "immortal". During this phase, the cells are systematically altered and marked, and returned to the organism. These cells are then examined to see whether they take up their natural functions and are subject to the normal aging process. The research group is currently working with endothelial cells. These are cells that line the insides of the vascular system. At the same time, the same procedures are being applied to the blood cells themselves.

Another focus of research is therapeutic vaccines. In the case of many chronic infections and also in various forms of cancer, such as black skin cancer, the immune system's T cells are not sufficiently active. One therapeutic aspect is to selectively stimulate the T cells to help support the immune system. This can be done by loading up dendrite cells with specific antigens (virus or tumor antigens). When these antigen-laden dendrite cells are reintroduced into the organism, they activate the corresponding T cells and the tumor or virus-infected cells are eliminated. This has succeeded in mice, so the transfer to humans is in the planning. In cooperation with business partners, a pouch system is under development, in which cells from an individual patient can be cultivated and a vaccine produced that meets both the medical and regulatory requirements.