dr. M (Maria) Forlenza, PhD

Maria Forlenza

Associate Professor (UHD1)
E-mail: maria.forlenza@wur.nl

Comparative Immunology Unit

I have always had an interest in the evolution of the vertebrate’s immune system and in particular in the immune system of fish. The idea that fish were the first vertebrates to have ‘invented’ an immune system, almost as complex as the one we now know for mammals, has always fascinated me. Having realised that mammals often represent the exception, rather than the rule when it comes to common solutions to fight pathogens, made me specialize in ‘Comparative Immunology’.

The research in my group is a balanced mixture of fundamental and applied science. On the one hand, we take a comparative approach to study various aspects of the immune system of different vertebrate species, and on the other hand, we focus on the immune response of avian (chicken), mammalian (pigs) and fish (cyprinids) species to pathogens. We then apply this fundamental knowledge to the development of experimental vaccines.