THE CHALLENGE OF MODERN CIVILIZATION
The phenomenon of inflammation
It is indispensable for human survival - but can be practically fatal: inflammation, the body's finely measured defense against intruders. Against bacteria, viruses and fungi. However this immune system response is life-threatening if it becomes chronic. Inflammation then destroys healthy organs. Increasing numbers of people are affected by it, mainly in the industrialized societies. It is a phenomenon of civilization.
If there is an everyday microbe alarm in the human body, the immune system mobilizes highly efficient chemical messengers. These quickly neutralize the aggressors, thus allowing the human body to continue its complex daily work in a routine way. This efficient defense system is on duty round the clock.
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The suffering of generations
Nowadays, however, the aggressive chemical messengers no longer eliminate only intruders, they also attack healthy tissues to an increasing extent. Sometimes this has life-threatening consequences for people of almost every age. It affects millions in Germany alone - asthma, psoriasis, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease or periodontitis. Inflammatory processes are even said to be a precursor of heart attacks.
First-class research - for tomorrow's health
Chronic inflammation of the human body is the central challenge facing 21st century medicine. Innovative therapies must be developed because inflammation, a phenomenon of civilization, puts society's welfare systems to the test: the global economic damage resulting from rampant chronic illnesses is estimated at around 40 billion US dollars. As a logical response, Germany has declared inflammation research to be a national research priority topic with the internationally unique expertise of the "Inflammation Research Excellence Cluster."