Early recognition, targeted intervention, staying healthy: ImmunoPreCept unites top Berlin research
The DRFZ is part of the new Cluster of Excellence
The German Rheumatology Research Center, a Leibniz Institute, is partner in the new Berlin Cluster of Excellence ImmunoPreCept. Together with Charité, the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Humboldt University, Freie Universität Berlin and other partners, the DRFZ is researching the transition from health to disease – with the aim to launch a new era of cell-based prevention and early medical intervention.
The focus will be on the immune system, not as a trigger of disease, but as a central player in maintaining health. Malfunctions of immunological processes are often the starting point of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease or certain forms of cancer. State-of-the-art single cell analysis, functional immune profiling and AI-driven methods will be used to identify early molecular signatures that enable targeted medical intervention – before clinical symptoms appear. This approach of ‘interceptive’ medicine represents a paradigm shift in healthcare.
With decades of successful research in inflammatory systemic diseases, the DRFZ contributes its expertise in functional immune analysis and translational research to the cluster, particularly at the interface between basic research, clinical application and individual prevention.
In addition to research, a focus is put on increased dialogue with the public. In collaboration with the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, the public will be actively involved – with the aim of sustainably anchoring this innovative research approach in healthcare.
PIs at DRFZ
Clusters of Excellence
Clusters of Excellence have been part of the Excellence Initiative since 2006 and promote outstanding research groups at German universities in internationally competitive fields. Each cluster can receive up to 10 million euros per year. The funding covers two periods of seven years each. Clusters of Excellence form one of the two pillars of the Excellence Strategy.