Scientific Working Group Clinical Immunology

In the Clinical Immunology working group at Karl Landsteiner University, we conduct translational and basic research on diseases that have an immunological basis.

We are specifically interested in the mechanisms underlying IgE-mediated food allergies, how immunotherapeutic interventions work, and how to improve diagnosis in childhood and adolescence. Approximately one in ten children is affected by a food allergy. Allergies to peanuts and tree nuts are particularly important, as they often persist throughout life and can trigger severe reactions. Importantly, food allergies are the most common cause of anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic emergency in childhood.

Our research is closely linked to clinical practice, and in collaboration with the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, we take advantage of the extensive expertise of the clinical infrastructure which allows to link our research directly to patients reactions (e.g. by studying clinically indicated standardized food challenges performed on children and adolescents, which are considered the most reliable method for diagnosing food allergies). Through this close collaboration, we aim to contribute to a better understanding of allergies, earlier detection, and sustainable improvement in the care of affected children and their families.

Moreover, via this collaboration we have access to patients with all types of allergic diseases like allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, chronic urticaria, eosinophilic esophagitis, food protein induced enterocolitis syndrome, or monogenic diseases with atopic phenotypes.

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