Severe infectious diseases, including sepsis, remain a serious medical challenge worldwide. Clinical symptoms of patients suffering from sepsis are a culmination of complex interactions between the infecting microorganism and host immune responses, such as the induction of overwhelming inflammatory reactions, systemic activation of the coagulation system, and impaired fibrinolysis. My projects are focused on so-called “host effector systems”, since evidence has accumulated that complications from an infection are caused by an over-stimulation of host defense systems that are modulated by bacteria or bacterial products. In severe infections, such as sepsis and septic shock, vascular leakage, increased cytokine levels, and coagulation/fibrinolysis dysfunction are often observed. To accomplish these tasks various in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models will be employed.