Role of apoptotic caspases in macrophage-mediated anti-bacterial immunity (B01)

• Subject Area: Immunology ; Medical Microbiology and Mycology, Hygiene, Molecular Infection Biology
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 414786233

Macrophages are key players in host defence, inflammation, tissue homeostasis and repair. Different modes of macrophage death including apoptosis, necroptosis and pyroptosis have been described, in particular upon interaction with bacterial pathogens. Recent observations strongly indicated that pro-apoptotic caspase activity is a versatile cellular tool that can cause different cellular outcomes by acting as a switch regulating different modes of cell death. This project will investigate the role of pro-apoptotic caspases in macrophage-mediated anti-bacterial immunity.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1403: Cell Death in Immunity, Inflammation and Disease
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Project Heads: Dr. Melanie Fritsch; Professor Dr. Hamid Kashkar