IUF – Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine

Targeted prevention

Research mission

Our research mission is the targeted and personalized prevention
of environmentally-induced aging and associated diseases.

We achieve this by elucidating causal mechanisms in the effects of environmental toxicants of global relevance – including particles, chemicals and radiation (also taking into account climate change). As part of this mission, we develop cutting-edge models for risk assessment and for the identification of innovative strategies for prevention and intervention. The ultimate translational steps are achieved by advising regulatory authorities and by cooperating with industry.

Research fields

Environmentally-induced pulmonary aging

This research field investigates the mechanisms by which man-made and natural particles trigger degenerative and aging processes in the lungs.

WG Schikowski
WG Schins
Team Unfried

Environmentally-induced skin aging

This research field investigates the mechanisms by which non-ionizing radiation and particulate matter contribute to skin aging, skin inflammation, and skin carcinogenesis.

WG Esser
WG Haarmann-Stemmann
WG Krutmann
WG Schikowski

Environmentally-induced disturbances of the nervous system

In this research field, the influence of neurotoxic substances (e.g. chemicals and particles) on the developing, adult, and aged nervous systems is studied.

WG Koch
WG Krutmann
WG von Mikecz
WG Schikowski
WG Schins
LG Ventura

Environmentally-induced disturbances of the immune system

In this research field, the molecular mechanisms and their immunological consequences triggered by organic environmental pollutants, particles and UV radiation are investigated.

WG Esser
WG Koch
WG Haarmann-Stemmann
WG Krutmann
WG Schikowski
WG Schins
LG Weighardt

The research mission of the IUF is the targeted and personalized prevention of environmentally-induced aging and associated diseases.

News

  • in News

    Lady Mary Montagu series – Online lecture on autophagy

    Prof. Charlotte Esser will host the next lecture in the Lady Mary Montagu series on 20.03.2024 from 4-6 pm. The guest is Prof. Katja Simon from Berlin who will give a talk about autophagy . This lecture series of the Commission on Gender Equality and Career Development of the German Society for Immunology provides a...
  • in News

    New joint appoinment

    Dr. Christian Staerk has accepted a joint junior professorship for “Biostatistical Methods for Environmental Medicine” at the IUF and the Technical University (TU) Dortmund. We are delighted that the new colleague will head the corresponding junior research group at the IUF from April....

Job offers

Are you looking for a job? Or would you like to find the right place for a master's thesis? Then take a look at our current vacancies. We offer you an international, interdisciplinary environment with modern, family-friendly working conditions in the heart of NRW. We look forward to receiving your application.

The IUF is funded by:

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