Prof. Dr. Federica Sallusto

Research priorities: immune systems, immunological memory, autoimmune diseases, vaccinations, T cells, leukocyte regulation
Federica Sallusto is a microbiologist specializing in immunology. She developed methods with which T cells could be investigated and identified. This work provided essential insights into the human immune system.
Federica Sallusto and her team researched the activation of T cells. T cells are part of the immune system. They combat pathogenic agents and suppress autoimmune diseases. Federica Sallusto also developed methods that could be used to investigate the reactions of T cells to pathogens, antigens and self-antigens. She also established a cell culturing method that can be used to produce T cells with defined properties for vaccination studies.
In another new method, she used chemokine receptors as markers to distinguish helper T cells (Th1, Th2) from each other. Based on this method, she was able to define groups and sub-sets of memory T cells. Memory T cells are a subset of infection- and cancer-fighting T cells (also known as a T lymphocytes). They store learned immune reactions and, when confronted with a renewed infection, trigger a rapid immune response.
Federica Sallusto and her working group were also able to explain the mechanisms of lymphocyte regulation in cases of inflammation and autoimmunity. The task of lymphocytes is to ward off pathogens and to combat “altered self” cells (tumour cells). She has also shown how special helper T cells (pioneer Th17 cells) pave the way to the brain for other cells that cause autoimmune diseases. Her research has served to further elucidate the fundamentals of the human immune system.