The research at the Institute of Immunology focuses on cytokine-producing cells of the immune system and their role in the immune response against viral, bacterial, and eukaryotic pathogens, as well as in the development of autoimmune diseases. Our focus is on dendritic cells (DCs), the professional antigen-presenting cells, and on the cytokine family of type I interferons, which play a key role at the interface between innate and adaptive immune responses in combating viral infections and in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Using sensitive reporter models, we visualize type I interferon-producing cells, particularly plasmacytoid DCs, in vivo and identify molecular regulatory mechanisms governing their differentiation and effector functions.