Corona research at Kiel University

A good response to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is based on naive immune cells, whereas pre-existing memory cells are rather disadvantageous, as shown by a research team from the Cluster of Excellence PMI.

Those who are being treated with TNF alpha blockers for a chronic inflammatory disease probably need a booster vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 earlier than others. A study by the Cluster of Excellence "Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation" indicates this.

For the first time, members of the Cluster of Excellence "Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation" have been able to demonstrate a safe and efficient immune response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy.

Viruses are masters of evolution. The new coronavirus is clearly very good at adapting to new hosts. Over the last few months it has also adapted specifically to humans as hosts.

Scientists succeeded in developing vaccines against the new coronavirus that are clearly effective and safe in record time. How does the vaccine work? Do the vaccines deliver what they promise? And were they really carefully tested in such a short time?

With her appointment in October 2020, Claudia Bozzaro is the new Professor of Medical Ethics at Kiel University. In her interview with unizeit, she talks about challenges, answers to major health policy issues and the limits of medicine.

A research team with the contribution of the Cluster of Excellence PMI has identified cell types in the blood that indicate severe disease progression in COVID-19.

Germany's corona-stricken economy is likely to contract by 5.5 percent this year, according to the Institute for the World Economy. This would put the gross domestic product at approximately the same levels as in 2015 or 2016. So what's so bad about that?

Learning from the past: new publication by Kiel University’s Cluster of Excellence ROOTS

A research team involving the Cluster of Excellence PMI has shown that the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus can also damage the pancreas

During the coronavirus crisis, the global economic network has shown weaknesses in the supply chains. These do not include temporary delivery shortages for toilet roll.

"Our healthcare system has demonstrated its adaptability during the coronavirus crisis, despite existing deficits," said Professor Carsten Schultz, innovation researcher in Kiel. And suddenly telemedicine is also possible.

Fear can be a very useful thing. However, when it is directed against an unknown and intangible enemy such as the coronavirus, the customary mechanisms of fear then fail. According to psychology professor, Julian Keil, this can become a problem.

The longer the restrictions are in place due to the coronavirus pandemic, the more the legal dimension comes into focus. How far may the state may go?

The global pandemic has given new impetus to digitalisation. But what effect does the increasing use of technology actually have on us? How does it change the reality of life, especially among young people? Psychologist Dr Thorsten Kolling ventures a prognosis.

Will the coronavirus crisis help digitalisation achieve a breakthrough in the field of education? Professor Heidrun Allert believes that this would be rather missing the point. "Exceptional circumstances cannot be the yardstick for this," comments the scientist.

Research team from Kiel finds gene variants for severe course of Covid-19: The blood group might have an influence on the severity of Covid-19 symptoms