With each flare-up, a vicious cycle of itching and scratching begins; the skin is reddened and inflamed. Atopic dermatitis (AD), better known as eczema, can lead to sleep deprivation, difficulty concentrating, loneliness, and depression. Worldwide, one in five children and one in ten adults are affected.

Mirjam Schenk aims to help them with her research – by closing the still significant gaps in our knowledge about this complex disease. At CK-CARE, the immunologist has found the ideal environment for this: “After many years in academic basic research in the field of immunology, for example in the USA, what particularly impressed me about CK-CARE was how naturally research and clinical application are integrated.” Together with her team, the project leader has been searching for clues every day since 2022 – right down to the individual cell: what exactly triggers this complex AD disease? Which building blocks are suitable as starting points for diagnostics and therapy? And is it possible to predict in advance how someone will respond to a therapy?

To answer such questions, the researchers at CK-CARE need information on as many patients as possible. This information comes, among other sources, from the in-house biobank, where clinical data and samples from approximately 3,500 patients and healthy individuals are continuously collected. “The biobank is truly unique, not least because material from many patients spans several years,” emphasizes Mirjam Schenk. In addition, the teams have access to state-of-the-art methods in the laboratory, such as those for isolating immune cells, detecting biomarkers, and comparing the cells of patients and healthy individuals. “We are currently focusing on several promising markers as targets for treatment strategies,” explains Mirjam Schenk. “They could help to better tailor clinical diagnostics, therapy, and prevention to each individual patient and avoid side effects.”