The specific aims of our research are to define novel host defense systems that are activated in response to injury and infection, and to analyse their mode of action with respect to effects on bacteria, inflammatory cells, phagocytosis, the interplay with coagulation and complement activation, etc. Our research is divided in 3 main projects: Project 1: Fighting infection and inflammation by utilizing innate immunity Project 2: Host-pathogen interactions and the development of chronic infections Project 3: The role of microbial influence on atopic eczema and inflammatory skin diseases – from molecular mechanisms to therapy.

Bacterial infections spanning from local wound infections, affecting patients with non-healing leg ulcers, postoperative wounds or burns, to severe infections and sepsis, are significant medical problems. Today's anti-infective treatments do not address the excessive activation of inflammatory pathways during infection and sepsis, and resistance problems are increasing. Hence, there is a huge unmet need for novel therapies that go beyond mere classical antibacterial effects, and which also selectively modulate both pro- and anti-inflammatory pathways during infections. The purpose of our research is to define and utilize new knowledge on innate immunity, with a focus on endogenous antimicrobial and immunomodulatory peptides and proteins, in order to develop the next generation's anti-infective treatments, with potential applications for skin infections and burns, postoperative profylaxis, but also for invasive infections and sepsis.