Cell Biology and Immunology
The vision of the Cell Biology and Immunology Group, led by Mangala Srinivas , is to generate fundamental knowledge on the immune system of vertebrates. We apply this knowledge to the development of dietary-based immunomodulation, immunotherapies and vaccination strategies in order to improve health of animals and humans.
Research themes
(Food) allergy
At CBI we investigate the immunological mechanisms of allergy, the effect of food processing on food allergy, as well as cross-reactive allergies between known allergens and (novel) food proteins
Immunomodulation by food and feed
We focus on immunomodulatory effects of food and feed-components, as well as mucosal immunology projects, focussing on immune function in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tract.
Veterinary immunology
Veterinary immunology is the cornerstone of animal health and welfare, food security, and public health. Within CBI we study the function of immune cells in livestock and companion animals.
Immune cell dynamics
CBI works with a range of imaging modalities, incl. fluorescence, MRI, PET, SPECT, ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging in different disease models, particularly cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
Education
Education by Cell Biology and Immunology
In our teaching, mucosal and comparative immunology approaches enable students to appreciate the importance of differences in the immune system between animal species and humans during health and disease. Mucosal and Comparative Immunology are thus expected to remain important elements in current and novel biomedical Bachelor and Master programmes of Wageningen University
Publications & Projects
The aim of the research performed at CBI is to integrate fundamental knowledge on the immune system of animals and humans with applications in dietary-based immunomodulation, development of immunotherapies and vaccination strategies to maintain or improve health.
Highlighted publications
- Activation of chicken macrophages by isomalto/malto-polysaccharide (IMMP) is facilitated by toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)
- Associating structural characteristics to immunomodulating properties of carrot rhamnogalacturonan-I fractions
- Composition and immunomodulatory activity of an arabinoxylan polysaccharide-rich extract of Agaricus subrufescens fermented rye
Chair Holder
Mangala Srinivas is full professor and head of the department (chair) of Cell Biology and Immunology at Wageningen University & Research. Her research focuses on in vivo imaging and immunomodulation using multifunctional nanoparticles, particularly for immune cells, and for oxygen delivery. She pioneered 19F MRI for quantitative cell tracking and now leads work on translational nanoparticle platforms for advanced diagnostics and therapeutics.
prof.dr. M (Mangala) Srinivas
Professor/Chairholder
People of Cell Biology and Immunology
Each chair group of Wageningen University & Research, under leadership of a professor, has its own area of expertise. Meet the people of Cell Biology and Immunology.
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