The LIT

Research

The LIT researches and develops new immune cell therapies for the treatment of diseases with deregulated immune function, such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, and chronic inflammations, as well as for the prevention and therapy of transplantation complications. The goal of the LIT is to significantly improve medical care for the population by developing modern cell therapeutics for these widespread diseases associated with aging, combined with the ambition to set international standards for cell therapy for a wide variety of diseases.

To achieve this goal, the complementary expertise of all scientists was strategically interlinked in three program areas. The research departments, working groups, technology and service platforms as well as the infrastructure are consistently oriented towards joint translational development processes.

Support of young scientists

One of the LIT’s key objectives is the optimal training of young scientists in all career phases and the support of individual development perspectives. As an independent institute, the LIT offers special opportunities for this purpose: Students of relevant subjects can do their bachelor's and master's theses at the LIT and are integrated into the scientific life of the institute from the very beginning. Doctoral students go through a structured graduate program with a broad qualification program. To support the development of an independent research profile, the LIT implemented a junior research group program, which allows young scientists to qualify for a further academic career or a management position in the industry. These measures are described in detail in the employee concept (Mitarbeiterkonzept).

Equal opportunities and work-life balance

The LIT regards the realization of equal opportunities for men and women and a work-life balance as a priority management task for the institute's management and a cross-sectional task for all areas of the LIT. The institute is subject to the Bavarian Equal Opportunity Act and observes the Implementation Agreements on Equal Opportunity (AV-Glei) in joint research funding. In addition, the LIT implements the research-oriented equality standards of the German Research Foundation as a voluntary commitment.

The LIT has appointed an equal opportunities representative and her deputy. They advise and support the institute's management in the implementation of the equal opportunities goals and are available to employees to advise on equal opportunities and compatibility issues.

The LIT has received the TOTAL E-QUALITY award for its exemplary human resources policy, oriented to establish and sustainably ensure equal opportunities. In addition, the LIT is a member of the Dual Career Netzwerk Nordbayern (DCNN) to support dual-career couples in the best possible way to continue their careers.

Research

The LIT merges all research areas related to developing and applying new therapies with the goal of creating new diagnostic methods, technologies and drugs:

• Scientists are working on the challenging task of how to suppress the human immune system after organic or stem cell transplantations and yet allowing it to fight viruses and cancer cells.
• Scientific research groups are analyzing how rheumatism and inflammatory bowel disease can be treated through selective intervention of the immune system with the goal of potentially finding a cure.
• The LIT also focuses on the question of how the immune system can be utilized to fight cancer cells in an effort to decrease the intensity of chemo therapy and radiation.
• Two new departments and work groups has been established in order to extend professional competence.

Teaching

Researchers of the LIT introduce young doctors to newest scientific findings in the field of immunotherapy, thus specifically supporting young academics.

• Regensburg holds great scientific and medical expertise in the field of Interventional Immunology
• Experts in Regensburg are leading in the field of organic and stem cell transplantation.
• Modern high-tech infracture (e.g. JCC) enables local experts to manufacture cell products for individual immunotherapy.
• Close collaboration of the LIT with the University Hospital, Companies and University Hospitals of Erlangen-Nuernberg and Wuerzburg allow synergetic effects in modern therapies for the good of patients.

• For many diseases, there is still no cure but patients can be treated through intervention in the immune system.
• Combination of theory and practice for the good of patients is a unique feature of the LIT.
• Doctors and scientists in Regensburg are leading in the global competition for new immunotherapies.

Scientific cooperations

• Forschungsallianz Immunmedizin (Erlangen-Nürnberg, Regensburg, Würzburg)
• International scientific institutions in Ann Arbor, Stanford, Harvard, Wien, London, Oxford, Newcastle, Nantes, Mailand and Lund

 
Companies

• The LIT cooperates with multiple companies in the field of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

 
The Free State of Bavaria

• The Free State of Bavaria supports the LIT financially since 2011.