Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cells in human blood and play a central role in the immune system. In addition to defending the body against pathogens, the are involved in chronic inflammation, tumor development, and the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. The Collaborative Research Centre Transregio 332 (CRC/TRR 332) investigates the diverse functions and characteristics of these immune cells.

The Institute of Medical Informatics (IMI) contributes to the research consortium through subproject INF, focusing on the development of a powerful digital infrastructure for collaboative research. We develop innovative artificial intelligence (AI) methods to identify molecular and cellular signatures that characterize different states and functions of neutrophils. By integrating high-dimensional multi-omics, imaging, and genetic data, we aim to identify robust and biologically interpretabele patterns associatd with neutrophil development, activation, and disease-related changes.

Beyond prediction, we apply state-of-the-art causal discovery methods to distinguish correlations from potential cause-and-effect relationships. Combining explainable AI with causal inference enables us to uncover key regulatory mechanisms and identify potential therapeutic targets for experimental validation.

Contact: Sophie-Marie Wind

Link to Project Website

Funding reference: TRR 332/2 2026