Allergies represent a global health problem that impairs the lives of hundreds of millions of people. Mast cells are immune cells with central functions in allergic reactions. This CD laboratory focuses on increasing our understanding of mast cell biology with the goal to develop novel therapeutic strategies.
It is estimated that up to 20 % of the global population are affected by allergies. Allergic individuals have developed an adaptive type 2 immune response and specific IgE antibodies against harmless proteins known as allergens which can originate from food, plants, animals or insects. Upon allergen exposure, the IgE antibodies mediate activation of mast cells which then secrete mediators that cause allergic symptoms. The spectrum of these effects ranges from a runny nose or itch up to life-threatening anaphylactic shock. Since many existing allergy treatments have significant limitations and side effects, new approaches are needed. A more detailed, molecular understanding of mast cells may lead to the discovery of novel therapies.
The cornerstone of this project is the development of a mast cell atlas. As such, we will apply cutting-edge technologies to characterize key events in the life cycle of mast cells from initial maturation to activation and recovery after an allergic reaction. This will lead to an unprecedented insight into mast cell biology that will be mined for new therapeutic targets.
Primary goals of this research include
- Establishment of novel mast cell-specific tools for genetic hypothesis testing
- Multi-omics-based characterization of mast cell development and responses
- Computational dataset integration for the generation of an atlas of mast cell biology
- Identification of therapeutic targets
- Development and evaluation of specific drug candidates
Overall, this laboratory will profoundly advance our understanding of mast cells with the perspective to develop new strategies for more precise and effective treatment of allergies and other mast cell-driven diseases.
Programme
- Welcome
Michaela Fritz
Vice Rector for Research and Innovation,
MedUni Vienna
Thomas Saghi
Vice President of the CDG and Head of the
Key Technologies Division at the BMWET - Introduction Christian Doppler Laboratories
Philipp Starkl
Department of Medicine I, MedUni Wien/AKH Wien - Introduction Industry Partner
Maria van Dongen
Allegria Therapeutics - Farewell
Michaela Fritz - Get-together
- Introduction
Heinz Burgmann, Department of Medicine I,
MedUni Wien/AKH Wien - 1.00 – 2.30 pm | Session I
Barbara Bohle, Department of Pathophysiology and
Allergy Research, MedUni Vienna/AKH Wien
William Worrall, Department of Medicine I,
MedUni Vienna/AKH Wien
Martin Metz, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin,
Institute of Allergology, Fraunhofer Institute for
Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP,
Immunology and Allergy IA Berlin, Germany - 2.30 – 2.50 pm | Coffee break
- 2.50 – 3.50 pm | Session II
Isabelle Arnold, Institute of Experimental Immunology,
University of Zurich, Switzerland
Philipp Starkl, Department of Medicine I,
MedUni Wien/AKH Wien - 3.50 pm | Farewell and Get-together
Registration
Partner
In Christian Doppler Laboratories, applicationoriented basic research is pursued at a high level, and expert scientists cooperate with innovative companies. The Christian Doppler Research Association is an international best practice example for promoting this collaboration.
Christian Doppler Laboratories are financed jointly by the public purse and the participating companies. The most important public sponsor is the Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism (BMWET).
Allegria Therapeutics is a Basel-based biopharma start-up founded by Forty51 Ventures in 2023. Allegria pursues a differentiated portfolio of proprietary therapeutic approaches and biological targets to selectively modulate mast cells, aiming to redefine the treatment of allergic and inflammatory diseases.