Latest Publications
Research Training Group
genes, environment, inflammation
Within this Research Training Group we will study the environmental influences responsible for the development of complex, chronic diseases. Moreover, we will systematically examine the previously understudied interplay between the (micro)-environment and predisposing genetic factors...
Research
The scientists in the Research Training Group (RTG) want to find out
- how the non-genetical schemes in the cell change during the development of chronic inflammatory diseases;
- how diet influences the development of inflammatory diseases;
- new statistical and bioinformatical ways to express research results.
People
a team of young and innovative scientists who are experts in the fields of:
- molecular biology
- human genetics
- immunology
- bioinformatics
- biochemistry
- microbiology
- epidemiology
- statistics.
Education
The purpose of the structured doctoral student programme is to:
- enable young scientists to obtain their doctoral degree within three years;
- qualify doctoral students for postdoctoral work;
- impart interdisciplinary knowledge;
- promote postgraduate students' transferrable skills.
Latest News
17 Jun, 2020
IKMB lab and analyst team, work group Prof. Dr. Andre Franke, © UKSH, photo: Maximilian Hermsen
The ABO blood group is associated with severe Covid-19.Why do some people become severely ill of Covid-19, while others are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms? One answer could be found in the different blood types of patients. Scientists of the Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology (IKMB), under the lead of Prof. Dr. Andre Franke, speaker of the RTG 1743, have – in collaboration with researchers from Oslo University, Norway – conducted the first large-scale genome wide study about Covid-19. They managed to get access to almost 2,000 samples from patients with severe Covid-19 disease (defined as needing respiratory support in an intensive care unit) from pandemic epicenters in Northern Italy (Milano, Monza) and Spain (Barcelona, Madrid, San Sebastian). They found two independent gene variants that seem to influence the severity of the course of the disease. One of the variants hints at the ABO blood group being of relevance in the disease etiology. While blood group A was associated with almost 50% higher risk, blood group 0 was associated with app. 50% lower risk for severe Covid-19 diseases. The second variant is located on chromosome 3 and points at a cluster of different immune-relevant candidate genes. These candidate genes can now be followed up by hypothesis-driven and targeted research. Thus, the first genetic risk map for Covid-19 and additional disease-...
