Immunology researcher Dr Jakob Zimmermann received a prestigious grant from the European Research Council (ERC) for his research project. Since September 2024, the scientist has been strengthening the Institute of Systems Immunology at Julius-Maximilians-Universität (JMU) Würzburg with his own team. He works closely with the Max Planck Research Group for Systems Immunology.

With a total volume of 1.6 million euros, the ERC is funding a multi-year scientific project on the interplay between intestinal flora and the immune system. Jakob Zimmermann, who successfully acquired the funding, wants to better understand the T-cell immune memory in the intestine. This understanding is crucial for new therapeutic approaches against chronic inflammatory bowel diseases and for the improved design of vaccines.

"With the ERC Starting Grant, we want to elucidate how memory T helper cells are regulated by the intestinal flora. We are using innovative microbiological and immunological tools to do this. I am delighted to have received the grant and to be able to use it to advance my own research ideas," says Jakob Zimmermann.

Understanding Immune Cells in the Gut to Develop New Therapeutic Approaches

Helper T cells are important immune cells that are closely linked to the microorganisms in the gut (gut microbiota). They protect our digestive system from external pathogens. If their regulation becomes unbalanced, these cells can cause chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.

"It is still unclear whether the human immune system builds up a T-cell memory against the gut microbiota – similar to what is known from vaccinations or infections. We are convinced that a better understanding of the microbiota-specific T cell memory could be crucial for developing better mucosal vaccines and preventing sudden disease relapses in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases," says the scientist, summarising the research approach.

About Jakob Zimmermann

Jakob Zimmermann studied Molecular Medicine at the University of Freiburg. He obtained his PhD in the laboratory of Professors Andreas Radbruch and Hyun-Dong Chang at the German Rheumatism Research Centre in Berlin, where he worked on T cells in chronic inflammation. As a postdoctoral researcher, he developed new methods of microbiota and immune system analysis in Professor Andrew Macpherson's laboratory for mucosal immunology at the University of Bern in Switzerland.

Max Planck Research Group for Systems Immunology

The Max Planck Research Group of Systems Immunology is a collaborative effort between the Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg (JMU) and the Max Planck Society (MPG) aimed at promoting excellent immunological research. Around 50 researchers from more than 20 countries are working together to understand the basis of a successful immune response against infectious agents, chronic inflammatory diseases, and tumors. Their ultimate goal is to develop new concepts and strategies for vaccines and immunotherapies.

To achieve this, the group is investigating the development and function of the immune system holistically at multiple levels. They are conducting high-resolution analyses of single molecules and cells, examining complex cellular networks within organs, and exploring systemic interactions in the body and with the environment. These research goals align well with the internationally visible research on infectious diseases and immunotherapies at the Würzburg Life Science Campus.