Allergic and immune diseases are a major health problem for hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
The aim of the Laboratory of Immunogenetics and Allergology (LIGA) is to strengthen its skills in applied research, to develop competitive basic research and to create an optimal environment for improved diagnosis, prevention and treatment of patients with allergic and immune-mediated diseases. Research is being performed in close collaboration with the national unit of Immunology and Allergology at the CHL.
ACTIVITIES
In its scientific strategies the LIGA aims at performing high quality basic research focusing on the:
- Characterization at the protein and DNA-level of three major animal allergen families: lipocalins, serum albumins and parvalbumins.
- Analysis of the cellular immune response, including cellular regulatory mechanisms to selected allergens belonging to these protein families.
- Analyzing interactions between the nervous system and the immune system by studying the effects of several neurotrophins on natural killer cells.
- Study of the functional cellular modification found in TAP deficiency.
Secondly the laboratory applies its research potential at improving patient diagnosis and care. This implies:
- Development of reagents for in vitro detection of patient sensitization to food and respiratory allergens.
- Development of protein and DNA reagents to detect and trace animal allergens and proteins of animal origin.
- Technology transfer to the laboratory of Immunology and Allergology at the CHL in molecular biology techniques.