Targeting human Langerhans cells to induce long-lasting tolerance in allergy

Marta is an immunologist interested in how immune responses to allergens are initiated and regulated in human skin. Allergy is a chronic disease that is expected to affect more than 40 per cent of all Europeans in 10 years' time. Recent studies demonstrate that skin can be successfully used as a gateway for therapeutic interventions aimed at improving the body's immune defences. Marta will combine high-power computing with extensive laboratory analysis of patient samples to answer two important questions: how does the skin allergy develop in early life, and how can we use transcutaneous therapy to deliver allergy treatment and prevention?