Our research group`s main goal is to better understand basic molecular and cellular adaptive immunology, and to translate this knowledge into improved vaccines and treatments against infectious diseases and cancer.
The research pursues four main themes:

1. Vaccines targeting antigen presenting cells (APCs). By targeting vaccines to the activator of the immune system, the APCs, it is possible to enhance vaccine efficacy and to induce stronger antigen-specific immune responses. In addition, targeting different types of APCs, such as different subtypes of dendritic cells (DCs), may affect the nature of the immune response. Depending on the DC subtype that is targeted, stronger antibody responses or T cell responses can be induced. Our group is currently exploring DNA vaccines, RNA vaccines and protein vaccines in mouse models for infectious diseases like influenza, and malaria, as well as for multiple myeloma.
2. Design of novel vaccine formats to improve the efficiency of APC-targeted vaccines. Influenza as well as COVID-19 are infectious diseases caused by viruses that changes over time. Novel immune-focusing vaccines are explored to improve the induction of neutralizing antibody responses, and of broadly protective immunity. 
3. To understand the collaboration between the T and B cells in the development of autoimmunity and B cell lymphomas, but also during protection against multiple myeloma. 
4. Development of cancer neoepitope-specific vaccines against multiple myeloma.

• T-B cell collaboration where T cells recognize immunoglobulin variable region peptides (Id-peptides) on MHC II molecules on B cells. The importance of BCR (B cell receptor ligation) and T cell help in such Id-driven T-B collaboration. The relationship of chronic Id-driven T-B collaboration to development of autoimmunity and B cell lymphomas.
• Studies on bystander killing effected by Id-specific CD4+ T cells. The mechanisms by which tumors can escape killing by CD4+ T cells.
• Development of DNA vaccines that as proteins target fused antigen to antigen presenting cells for induction of strong immune responses against influenza virus (The Vaccibody principle).

Ranveig Braathen
Institute of Immunology, Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital
Sognsvannsveien 20, Section A2. 2nd. floor, Room:  A3.2006, 0372 Oslo, Norway
Phone: + 47 23 07 35 08, Cell: + 47 99732296, Fax: + 47 23 07 35 10
Email: Ranveig.braathen@medisin.uio.no, Ranveig.braathen@rr-research.no, ranvbr@ous-hf.no