The research laboratory of the Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology covers a wide spectrum of state-of-the art methods in immunology, molecular biology, and endocrinology.

Head

Univ.-Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Harald Engler
Tel. +49 (0)201 723-83044

Technical staff

Alexandra Kornowski, MTA
Phone: +49 (0)201 723-85694 or -4505

Sophie Wieczorek BTA
Tel. +49 (0)201 723-4505

Immunology

Methods:
Flow cytometry, hematology, magnetic cell separation, density gradient centrifugation, cytokine analyses by ELISA and multi-array technology, functional assays (proliferation, cytotoxicity, phagocytosis, apoptosis), cell culture (whole blood, primary cells, cell lines)

Equipment:
Flow cytometer (BD FACSCelesta™ with High Throughput Sampler), multi-array ECL analyzer (MESO QuickPlex SQ 120 MM), hematology systems (Sysmex XP-300, scil Vet abc), point-of-care analyzer (Sysmex/Hitado smart 700/546), blood sedimentation device (Sediplus® S200), clean benches (2x HeraSafe HS18), magnetic cell separators (MidiMACS™, QuadroMACS™), CO₂ incubators (HeraCell 150i, HeraCell 240), microplate reader (BMG Labtech FLUOstarOPTIMA™), microplate washer (Thermo Scientific Wellwash™), centrifuges (Hettich Rotanta 460R, Micro 200R), ULT freezer (Thermo Forma 900)

Molecular biology

Methods:
Purification/isolation and quantification of nucleic acids and proteins, RT-PCR, real-time quantitative PCR, gene expression analysis and genotyping, gel electrophoresis, Western blotting

Equipment:
Real-time quantitative PCR system (Applied Biosystems 7500 Fast), thermocycler (Applied Biosystems 2720), UV-Vis spectrophotometer (NanoDrop™ One), photometer (Eppendorf BioPhotometer™), Western blotting system (Bio-Rad Trans-Blot Turbo™), gel electrophoresis system (Bio-Rad), µMACS™ separator for proteins and RNA, centrifuges (Hettich Universal 320R, Eppendorf 5415R), ULT freezer (Eppendorf CryoCube F101h)

Endocrinology

Methods:
Quantification of steroid und peptide hormones in plasma/serum, CSF, and saliva by enzyme-linked immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), luminescence immunoassay (LIA), and multi-array technology, quantification of salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) activity by enzymatic assay, development of a smartphone application for the monitoring of the cortisol awakening response (SalivApp).

Equipment:
Multi-array ECL analyzer (MSD MESO QuickPlex SQ 120 MM), microplate reader (BMG Labtech FLUOstarOPTIMA™), microplate washer (Thermo Scientific Wellwash™), centrifuges (Hettich Rotanta 460R, Micro 200R), ULT freezer (Thermo Forma 88000, Haier Biomedical ULT).