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The role of the Rip2 serine/threonine kinase in innate and adaptive immune responses

English title	The role of the Rip2 serine/threonine kinase in innate and adaptive immune responses
Applicant	Marsland Benjamin John
Number	116675
Funding scheme	Project funding
Research institution	Institut für Integrative Biologie Departement Umweltwissenschaften ETH Zürich
Institution of higher education	ETH Zurich - ETHZ
Main discipline	Immunology, Immunopathology
Start/End	01.04.2007 - 31.03.2010
Approved amount	335'000.00

Lead

Lay summary
The immune system is constantly faced with the decision of whether to respond or not to respond. This decision is aided by the presence of pattern recognition receptors (PRR) that bind to evolutionarily conserved molecules found on viruses or bacteria - so-called pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMP) - and initiate maturation of cells and development of their effector function. The study of PRRs and PAMPs is central to our understanding of how the immune system initiates inflammatory responses and provides protection against invading pathogens. A serine/ threonine kinase called Rip2, has been described to play a critical role in mediating signal transduction from the Toll-like receptor and Nod-like receptor PRR families. Our aim is to understand the role of Rip2 as a scaffolding molecule and kinase in driving inflammation. We will examine its role in protective immunity and activation of epithelial cells; antigen presenting cells; and T cells upon encounter with pathogens. Resulting stemming from this study will provide us with a better understanding of how immune responses are initiated and will provide valuable insight for rational vaccine design and therapeutic formulations.

Last update: 21.02.2013