One main research focus is the characterization of regulatory T cells, T cell differentiation and T cell exhaustion. Seminal work of the group could show the importance of the chromatin remodeler special AT-rich binding protein 1 (Satb1) for the function of Treg cells and peripheral T cells and its influence on the development of autoimmunity. Furthermore, the group could show that chronic exposure to the proinflammatory cytokine TNF can be causative for T cells dysfunction in chronic viral infections. Following up on these observations, the group is currently assessing the importance of T cells for CNS pathology.