The competence centre Allergology / Immunology is structured into the following sections:
The competence center investigates pathomechanisms contributing to the development and persistence of diseases affecting the upper and lower respratory tract due to occupational allergens as well as chemical and biological hazardous substances.
It identifies occupational sensitization sources and conducts research on occupational allergies caused, for example, by flour enzymes, mites, molds, bacteria, insects, animal dander, isocyanates, and wood dust, with a particular focus on exposure and sensitizing effects.
Additionally, the inflammatory effects of various workplace substances, irritants, and bioaerosols on the respiratory tract are investigated using non-invasive methods and novel biomarkers.
The competence center also studied the impact of climate change and climate adaptation on occupational allergic and inflammatory diseases, as well as the immune status of individuals with heterogeneous post-COVID syndrome (PCS) following occupationally acquired SARS-CoV infection. Furthermore, detection systems for allergens and microbial components are developed, validated, and implemented in practice.
The staff of the competence center contribute to the development of national guidelines and international consensus papers in the context of occupational respiratory diseases and occupational and environmental exposures. They are also actively involved in national and international committees of scientific societies. Additionally, providing expert consultation to the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) and accident insurance on all matters related to biological exposure, its effects on the immune system, and occupational allergies is a key focus of the center's work.
The insights gained by the Competence Center are integrated into standardized diagnostics for allergic and inflammatory respiratory diseases and contribute to the assessment of the clinical and diagnostic relevance of non-invasive methods and biomarkers. For risk evaluation, practice-oriented detection methods for quantitative exposure monitoring in the workplace are developed and applied.
