Specialization
human immunology, innate immunology, mucosal immunology, epithelial immunology
Focus of research
Jochem Bernink – Human Mucosal Immunology
In my lab we aim to contribute to a better understanding how mucosal homeostasis is established, maintained and restored following mechanic damage, irradiation damage or infectious insults in humans.
Towards this aim we develop molecular and cellular tools to dissect interactions between microbiome, mucus, epithelium, and (tissue-resident) immune cells, such as innate lymphoid cells (ILCs).
We will employ humanized immune system mouse models to functionally test our discoveries in vivo, and the physiological relevance of our discoveries is tested in a translational manner through our close collaboration with the department of gastroenterology.
Techniques involved are 2D and 3D organoid cultures, ex vivo cultures, Crispr/cas9 techniques, Flow cytometry, microscopy, etc.