Immunophysics
Immunophysics is a novel interdisciplinary research field using immunological, biological, physical and chemical approaches to elucidate and modify immune-mediated mechanisms and to expand our knowledge on the pathomechanisms of chronic immune-mediated diseases such as arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma and chronic infections.
Background
Immune reactions are tightly regulated and usually self-limited. Dysregulation can result in chronic inflammatory diseases. In addition to biochemical molecular mechanisms, physical factors influence the immune system. Such components include:- Microenvironmental factors like tonicity, pH, oxygen pressure and the redox status of immune cells
- Mechanical factors, such as tissue pressure, cellular stiffness and cell motility
- Cell membrane physics such as membrane composition and particles