Biochemical Immunotoxicology Group

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Welcome to Johanna Gostner Lab

About the lab

The Biochemical Immunotoxicology Group, led by Assist.-Prof. Mag. Dr. rer. nat. Johanna M. Gostner, focuses on immunoregulation with an emphasis on tryptophan and neopterin metabolism, as well as epithelial-immune interactions. We study the toxicology, bioactivity, and mechanisms of action of natural products and synthetic chemicals, utilizing techniques in redox biology, immunotoxicology, and new approach methods (NAM).

A key area of our research is the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We have developed innovative exposure platforms for airborne treatments in lung and skin models, with a focus on low-dose and long-term exposure to indoor air pollutants. Our current work expands to comparing the effects of airborne and topical applications of essential oil constituents on epithelial-immune cell co-culture systems in both lung and skin models.

Current Research Areas

Immunoregulation and Neopterin Metabolism

Our lab focuses on studying the role of neopterin and tryptophan metabolism in immunoregulation. We aim to understand how these metabolic pathways affect immune responses and contribute to disease. Using techniques in immunotoxicology and redox biology, we investigate these interactions to explore their potential for therapeutic applications.

We conduct research on the toxicology and bioactivity of VOCs, with a particular focus on indoor air pollutants. Our work includes developing exposure platforms and strategies to assess the dose-response effects of VOCs in lung and skin models. We study both airborne and topical exposures to understand their impact on epithelial-immune cell interactions, especially in the context of long-term, low-dose exposures.

Our lab develops and refines methodologies for analyzing exposure and dose-response relationships in biological systems. We work on creating tools and techniques that improve the accuracy of data in studies involving VOCs and other bioactive compounds. These approaches are used to model and analyze the effects of environmental exposures on immune responses, aiming to enhance risk assessments and inform therapeutic strategies.