High-end microscopy and digital image analysis to depict pathogenesis of COVID-19 (Z01a)

• Subject Area: Clinical Infectiology and Tropical Medicine
• Term: from 2010 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 114933180

Advanced imaging such as spectral confocal, life-cell, -tissue, or super-resolution microscopy, combined with digital image analysis are indispensable for uncovering innate immune mechanisms characterizing the pathogen-host interaction in the pulmonary compartment. As central service project of the CRC, Z01a provides a comprehensive microscopic environment starting from protocol establishment, sample preparation and cloning up to configuration of adequate imaging procedures and analysis tools to fulfil the individual needs of the CRC projects. With the pandemic start of COVID-19, our lab received special work permission to establish infection models and research tools to study SARS-CoV-2 virulence and disease pathogenesis. Therefore, Z01a accepted the responsibility and together with other (CRC) groups as well as the established Charité-Zeiss MultiDim center, several imaging techniques and detection system relevant for elucidating COVID-19 pathogenesis were established.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 84: Innate Immunity of the Lung: Mechanisms of Pathogen Attack and Host Defence in Pneumonia
• Applicant Institution: shared FU Berlin and HU Berlin through:; Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Andreas Hocke