Our Research
Infections are one of the leading causes of child mortality, particularly in resource-limited countries. The immune system of newborns differs fundamentally from that of adults—it is not "immature" but rather specifically adapted to the challenges of early life. Our research is based on this paradigm shift: We investigate the unique properties of neonatal immune responses and develop vaccination strategies based on these insights.
One key focus of our work is immune defense in the gut, the primary interface between the body and the environment. During the first weeks of life, antigen uptake through the intestinal mucosa is limited, which can affect the efficacy of oral vaccines. We analyze the mechanisms responsible for this restriction and explore targeted ways to overcome them.
At the same time, we study neonatal dendritic cells (DCs), which are crucial for the induction of T-cell responses. Using single-cell technologies, we examine which DC subtypes are active in neonatal Peyer’s patches and how they regulate specific immune responses. Our findings contribute to the development of innovative vaccines that enable the targeted activation of these DCs.
Another major focus is the optimization of vaccine formulations for newborns. By using nanoparticles as vector systems, we enhance the targeted uptake of antigens and adjuvants by neonatal immune cells in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Our goal is to establish a modular platform for oral vaccines that can be adapted to different pathogens, including rotavirus, Salmonella, and enteropathogenic E. coli.
Through close collaboration with clinical partners and leveraging single-cell genomics and organoid technologies at HZI, we drive the development of new vaccination strategies that could make a decisive difference, especially in countries with limited medical resources.
Our Research
Infections are one of the leading causes of child mortality, particularly in resource-limited countries. The immune system of newborns differs fundamentally from that of adults—it is not "immature" but rather specifically adapted to the challenges of early life. Our research is based on this paradigm shift: We investigate the unique properties of neonatal immune responses and develop vaccination strategies based on these insights.
One key focus of our work is immune defense in the gut, the primary interface between the body and the environment. During the first weeks of life, antigen uptake through the intestinal mucosa is limited, which can affect the efficacy of oral vaccines. We analyze the mechanisms responsible for this restriction and explore targeted ways to overcome them.
At the same time, we study neonatal dendritic cells (DCs), which are crucial for the induction of T-cell responses. Using single-cell technologies, we examine which DC subtypes are active in neonatal Peyer’s patches and how they regulate specific immune responses. Our findings contribute to the development of innovative vaccines that enable the targeted activation of these DCs.
Another major focus is the optimization of vaccine formulations for newborns. By using nanoparticles as vector systems, we enhance the targeted uptake of antigens and adjuvants by neonatal immune cells in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Our goal is to establish a modular platform for oral vaccines that can be adapted to different pathogens, including rotavirus, Salmonella, and enteropathogenic E. coli.
Through close collaboration with clinical partners and leveraging single-cell genomics and organoid technologies at HZI, we drive the development of new vaccination strategies that could make a decisive difference, especially in countries with limited medical resources.
Dr Natalia Torow
Neonatal immunity is not deficient but unique—this understanding opens new avenues for targeted vaccination strategies.
After earning her PhD at Hannover Medical School, Natalia Torow established an independent research agenda on neonatal immune development as a postdoctoral researcher and junior group leader at RWTH University Hospital Aachen. Since 2024, she has led the junior research group “Early Life Immunity” at HZI. Her goal is to expand the fundamental understanding of neonatal immune responses and translate this knowledge into innovative vaccination strategies.
Team
Selected Publications
Torow, N.*, Li, R., Hitch, T., Mingels, C., Al Bounny, S., van Best, N., Stange, E.-L., Simons, B., Maié, T., Rüttger, T., et al. (2023). M cell maturation and cDC activation determine the onset of adaptive immune priming in the neonatal Peyer’s patch, Immunity (*co-corresponding author) DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.04.002
Torow, N., Hand, T.W., and Hornef, M.W. (2023). Programmed and environmental determinants driving neonatal mucosal immune development. Immunity 56, 485-499. DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.02.013.
Riba, A., Hassani, K., Walker, A., van Best, N., von Zeschwitz, D., Anslinger, T., Sillner, N., Rosenhain, S., Eibach, … Torow, N., et al. (2020). Disturbed gut microbiota and bile homeostasis in Giardia-infected mice contributes to metabolic dysregulation and growth impairment. Sci Transl Med 12, DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aay7019
Hornef, M.W., and Torow, N. (2020). 'Layered immunity' and the 'neonatal window of opportunity' - timed succession of non-redundant phases to establish mucosal host-microbial homeostasis after birth. Immunology 159, 15-25. DOI: 10.1111/imm.13149
Torow, N., Yu, K., Hassani, K., Freitag, J., Schulz, O., Basic, M., Brennecke, A., Sparwasser, T., Wagner, N., Bleich, A., et al. (2015b). Active suppression of intestinal CD4(+)TCRalphabeta(+) T-lymphocyte maturation during the postnatal period. Nat Commun 6, 7725. DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8725
Publications
A complete list of publications can be found here.
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