de la Rosa lab

de la Rosa Lab

Immune Mechanisms and Human Antibodies

Our lab has a strong focus on human immunology, which stems from the fundamental need to deeply understand the human immune system to combat diseases. Particularly, we study B cells, the type of immune cells that produce antibodies.
de la Rosa lab

An enormous diversity of antibodies protects us from various infectious diseases by binding and neutralizing pathogens. During an infection, B cells undergo maturation processes including the acquisition of beneficial mutations followed by subsequent selection to increase the potency of antibodies. However, for some diseases the body’s immune system fails to induce natural protection. We study antibody maturation to understand how diversity is generated and which determinants are important to elicit potent protection. 

Using high-throughput cellular and molecular screening methodologies, in vitro cultivation methods, and functional studies, our laboratory seeks out novel applications for B cells and antibodies to preserve human health.

Team

Group photo

From left to right; upper: Petra Haink (secretary), Svetlana Khorkova (visiting student from Moscow, Russia), Lisa Spatt (technician), Kathrin de la Rosa (group leader); lower: Christoph Ratswohl (PhD student), Clara Vazquez Garcia (PhD student)

Publications

in Nature

Public antibodies to malaria antigens generated by two LAIR1 insertion modalities

K. Pieper et al.
in Blood

Disturbed B-lymphocyte selection in autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome

A. Janda et al.
in Nature

A LAIR1 insertion generates broadly reactive antibodies against malaria variant antigens

J. Tan et al.
in J Virol

Deficiency of the B cell-activating factor receptor results in limited CD169(+) macrophage function during viral infection

H.C. Xu et al.
in J Allergy Clin Immunol

Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors control B-cell migration through signaling components associated with primary immunodeficiencies, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and multiple sclerosis

H. Sic et al.
in J Allergy Clin Immunol

A common single nucleotide polymorphism impairs B-cell activating factor receptor's multimerization, contributing to common variable immunodeficiency

K. Pieper et al.
in J Immunol

A feeder-free differentiation system identifies autonomously proliferating B cell precursors in human bone marrow

H. Kraus et al.
in J Allergy Clin Immunol

B-cell biology and development

K. Pieper et al.
Dr. Kathrin de la Rosa
Dr. Kathrin de la Rosa
née Kathrin Pieper

Research Topics