Prof. Dr. Bernd Lepenies

Research

Our lab uses biochemical and immunological methods to address research questions at the interface between veterinary and human medicine (One Health approach). A focus of our research is the investigation of the interaction of glycoconjugates with sugar-binding proteins (so-called lectins).
Lectins are various classes of sugar-binding proteins that bind specific sugar structures of glycoproteins and glycolipids but can also recognize other structures such as crystals or proteins. Lectin-sugar interactions influence a variety of biological processes such as cell-cell interactions, cellular signaling pathways, inflammatory processes, and the immune response. Our research focuses primarily on two lectin superfamilies: the C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) and the galectins. Both lectin superfamilies have important physiological functions but also play key roles in disease processes. For example, myeloid CLRs are involved in the recognition of pathogens and are therefore often essential for the development of a protective immune response.
We are seeking to elucidate the relevant functions of these lectins in infections and other inflammatory processes, thus gaining fundamental insights into the role of lectins in health and disease. To this end, we generate tools for lectin-based research and use lectins of different animal species as target molecules for cell-specific drug delivery and immune modulation.