Incidence and prevalence of autoimmune diseases are increasing. Despite novel insights into the pathogenesis the mainstay of treatment is still unspecific systemic immunosuppression. However, this treatment may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The successful transition of therapeutic strategies, developed by basic research efforts, is still a crucial, yet unmet challenge of clinically relevant research in autoimmunity.

The DFG funded Reseach Training Group (RTG) "Modulation of Autoimmunity" implements this transitional strategy. Research projects of this GRK developed from a focus program Autoimmunity that has been funded by the Medical Faculty of the University of Lübeck since 2006.

There are two sections the projects of the RTG belong to:
(A) Development of innovative strategies to treat established autoimmune disease and (B) Identification of novel therapeutic targets in autoimmunity.

The broad methodological spectrum of the individual projects will facilitate an in depth training of the students, which is complemented by a qualification and mentoring program. The qualification concept includes a RTG-specific scientific seminar and defined training elements. It interacts with already available training elements of the Graduate School GSC 235/1 Computing in Medicine and Life Science, the Borstel Biomedical Research School, the Excellence Cluster Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation, the Focus Program Autoimmunity, Section C (Immunology) of SFB 654 Plasticity and Sleep, the SFB/TR22 Allergic immune response of the lung, and the Clinical Research Group 170 Wegener’s granulomatosis.

The major aim of the RTG is to link basic research in autoimmunity to defined clinical applications and thus stimulate translational thinking in a new generation of scientists.