Systems Immunology

To see the immune system with the eyes of mathematics – that is the guiding principle of the department Systems Immunology. Mathematical models help to faster and better understand diseases that are associated with immune functions. Read here how scientists use mathematics to investigate chronic inflammatory diseases, the regulation of adaptive immune responses, and the interaction between the nervous, the endocrine and the immune system.

Leader

Prof Dr Michael Meyer-Hermann

Group Leader Michael Meyer-Hermann
Prof Dr Michael Meyer-Hermann

Since 2010 Michael Meyer-Hermann heads the Department Systems Immunology at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in Braunschweig (Germany). He studied Physics, Mathematics, and Philosophy in Frankfurt/Main and Paris and accomplished his Ph.D. in Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics in Frankfurt/Main.

He, then, initiated new research groups for Systems Immunology in Dresden (Germany), Oxford (UK) and at the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS). In addition to developing new methods in Theoretical Cell Biology, his research aims at understanding the adaptive immune system and the interaction of the immune and the nervous system. He wants to establish mathematical methods as state-of-the-art tool in Biology and Immunology to improve research of diseases and therapies.

Project leader

  • Dr David Christian Kerkmann

    Project Leader Epidemiological Modelling

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Video

  • How is the HZI contributing to the management of the coronavirus pandemic?

    Since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig has focused its research activities on the novel coronavirus. Representative for the diverse research projects at HZI, three scientists present their contributions to coping with the pandemic. Prof Michael Meyer-Hermann is developing mathematical models for the course of the pandemic. Prof Melanie Brinkmann has investigated transmission pathways in a large coronavirus outbreak and shown that the pathogen can be spread via aerosols. Prof Gérard Krause is leading an antibody study to monitor the development of the pandemic and is developing digital tools such as the SORMAS system to support the public health service in pandemic response.

Audio Podcast

  • BRICS – Rechnen für die InfektionsforschungDie Mischung macht es – im richtigen Leben ebenso wie in der Infektionsforschung. Systembiologen am HZI und an der Technischen Universität Braunschweig mischen Laborerkenntnisse mit Computermodellen. Begleiten Sie Michael Meyer-Hermann virtuell an das BRICS und hören Sie weshalb es so sinnvoll ist, Biologie mit System zu betreiben.
  • Rechnen für die Gesundheit – Systembiologie bringt System in die Arthritis-Therapie Infektionsforscher arbeiten mit Zellkulturen, Krankheitserregern, nehmen Proben, messen und werten die Messergebnisse aus. Allerdings reicht das in der modernen Wissenschaft häufig nicht mehr aus – gerade wenn es um so komplexe Systeme wie uns Menschen geht. Hier kommen Computer ins Spiel: die Systembiologie. Hören Sie Michael Meyer-Hermann zu, wie er am Rechner die Jahrzehnte alte Therapie gegen Rheumatoide Arthritis auf den Kopf stellt...
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