Latest experimental and clinical data show that a certain kind of cells, called the myeloid regulatory cells, play a crucial role in controlling the immune system, which protects us from microorganisms and prevents the formation of neoplasms. These cells are mostly made up of such white blood cells as granulocytes, monocytes and dendritic cells. Although many diseases are related to changes in myeloid regulatory cells, the diversity of those cells and the lack of an unambiguous method their identification hinders quick advancement in understanding of their significance in immunological response and disease processes.

The new COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) programme, which has been recently ratified by the European Commission and named Mye-EUNITER (European Network of Investigators Triggering Explanatory Research on Myeloid Regulatory Cells), aims to change this. The programme was initiated by immunologists from the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany, with active participation of six IRUN (International Research Universities Network) members: University of Münster (Germany), University of Barcelona (Spain), University of Glasgow (Great Britain), Radboud University Nijmegen (the Netherlands), University of Zurich (Switzerland) and the Jagiellonian University.

The COST programme unites 18 European countries and partners from the United States. The Jagiellonian University is represented by Prof. dr hab. Joanna Cichy from the Department of Immunology and Dr hab. Jarosław Baran from the Chair in Clinical Immunology and Transplantology.

For more details please visit the University of Duisburg-Essen website.