Cytosolic DNA sensing in infection and autoimmunity

Dr Rehwinkel's programme of research aims to further our understanding of cytosolic DNA detection by the host immune system. Cytosolic DNA detection is important not only during many bacterial and viral infections, but also in autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases and DNA vaccination. However, the signalling pathways that detect DNA in the cytosol and in particular the DNA sensors triggered by cytosolic DNA remain unknown or incompletely understood. Dr Rehwinkel plans to identify cytosolic DNA sensors and their downstream pathways, establish new models for studying DNA sensors, and define the role of cytosolic DNA sensing during autoinflammation and infection.