Debrecen4U December 15, 2025

The University of Debrecen’s Institute of Immunology marked its 25‑year anniversary

At the jubilee scientific meeting of the Institute of Immunology at the Faculty of General Medicine of the University of Debrecen, participants reviewed twenty‑five years of professional achievements and future challenges, with a focus on the institute’s key milestones in education and research.

Founded in 2000, the Institute of Immunology has, over the past quarter century, become one of the university’s significant educational and scientific centers, as well as an internationally recognized hub for research on dendritic cells. Current and former staff members, together with leaders of partner institutions, gathered at the jubilee event to reflect on outstanding results and future directions, unideb.hu reported.

The Institute was established in 2000 as the successor to the Institute of Pathophysiology under the leadership of Professor Éva Rajnavölgyi. Under her guidance, the teaching and research staff was formed, the curriculum for immunology as an independent subject was developed, major instrument upgrades were carried out, and pioneering research on dendritic cells was launched.

“Twenty‑five years ago, a decisive decision was made to transform the Institute of Pathophysiology into the Institute of Immunology. The true turning point came with the arrival of Professor Éva Rajnavölgyi: under her leadership, a scientific paradigm shift began, shaping the institute into a highly active, prestigious research center with intensive publication activity and extensive professional collaborations. I trust that this spirit and exemplary culture of collaboration will continue to flourish in the coming decades,” emphasized László Mátyus, Dean of the Faculty of General Medicine, in his greeting.

Between 2015 and 2018, the Institute was led by Professor Tamás Bíró. Under his direction, the educational infrastructure continued to develop, and thanks to effective grant activity, the research profiles expanded. In 2018, leadership of the Institute was taken over by Professor Attila Bácsi.

The Institute’s current research focuses on professional antigen‑presenting cells, including dendritic cells, which play a key role in initiating adaptive immune responses.

Research extends to the regulation of immune processes by dendritic cells, the mechanisms and molecular background of cellular immune responses, and the role of cell‑to‑cell interactions in the development of various diseases.

“The past twenty‑five years are significant not only in terms of time but also as a milestone in both scientific and community aspects. In immunology, unprecedented progress has been made in recent decades. The rapid development of molecular and cell biology methods, the rise of translational medicine, and the revolution of immunotherapies have opened new opportunities while raising many new questions. Researchers and educators at the Institute have responded to these challenges with creative research programs and by continuously raising the quality of teaching. Numerous national and international grants, diverse collaborations, support for undergraduate and doctoral training, and the integration of clinical and basic research all reflect the commitment that has defined the Institute’s work throughout its history,” highlighted Professor Attila Bácsi, Director of the Institute of Immunology.

By now, the educational responsibilities of the Institute have expanded significantly. The modular immunology training program developed by its faculty is currently attended by students from five faculties of the University of Debrecen.

Beyond undergraduate education, the Institute of Immunology is now actively involved in postgraduate training as well. Its qualified instructors serve as mentors and supervisors in three doctoral schools of the university, enabling numerous young researchers to earn their doctoral degrees.

Source: dehir.hu | Photo credit:Facebook (Debrecen városa)