Institute of Immunology

The Institute of Immunology was established in 1992. The constitution of the independent institute resulted from an intensive development of immunology and from a subsequent need to include this subject into those regularly taught in the Faculty of Medicine. The institute now regularly delivers lectures and holds practical lessons not only for medical students, but also for students of other specialisations. Moreover, the teaching is held both in the Slovak and in the English language. The new situation required providing students with textbooks; now, these are available in both languages and the Dictionary of Immunology was even translated into French and German languages, respectively.

Research has also become an inherent part of working activities in the institute. The immunogenetics of the major histocompatibility complex in man (HLA), the immunogenetics of cytokines supplemented by studies of inflammatory markers in the induction and development of autoimmune, cardiovascular, and lung diseases represent the major subjects of interest in recent years. Especially a role of these genes in induction and development of autoimmune diseases and cardiovascular disorders has been studied. The research activity is performed in the frame of national and international grants.

The teachers are active also outside of the Faculty of Medicine. Some of them are members of scientific boards; they work in editorial boards of national and international journals, in grant agencies, are members of boards of the Slovak Immunology Society or are active in other fields of science.

The specialisation of the institute:

- Immunology

- Immunogenetics

Current techniques running in the institute:

- Techniques of the molecular genetics for the determination of gene polymorphisms of the HLA complex and cytokines (PCR-SSP, PCR-RFLP, sequencing, ...)

- Techniques for the evaluation of soluble and membrane-bound molecules such as cytokines, acute phase proteins and membrane antigens (Flow cytomix, multiplex analysis, flow cytometry)

- Detection of antibodies against HLA- a MICA-antigens by multiplex analysis to establish a degree of rejection mechanisms following kidney transplantations

- Detection of new inflammatory markers by ELISA

Research activities:

 - A population-genetic analysis of the Slovak population on occurrence rates of HLA alleles and polymorphisms of cytokine genes

- Studies on HLA, cytokine and other gene associations with selected autoimmune and other immune-related diseases (Type I diabetes mellitus, psoriasis, pemphigus vulgaris, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, asthma bronchiale, coeliac disease, coronary heart disease, urinary tract infections, etc.) in the Slovak population

- Studies on the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of various diseases

- Studies on the imunopathogenesis of sepsis and heart stroke

- Studies on the role of  HLA-G in a foetus tolerance

- Studies on the role of NK cells in GvH reactions