Work in research area A focuses the regulation and function of cell death in organism a homeostasis and disease. Within this research area, 13 projects study how different forms of RCD are regulated, how dying cells are sensed by bystander cells and how this cross-talk triggers distinct tissue responses resulting in tissue repair or inflammation and disease.

Work in research area B focuses on  the mechanisms and function of RCD in host-microbe interactions. Where cell death is an integral component of host defence in both animals and plants, the mechanisms that govern the regulation and execution of specific types of cell death in response to microbes as well as the functional implications for the outcome of the infection remain poorly understood. Groups of the CRC will use multidisciplinary approaches to dissect the molecular pathways that regulate host cell death in response to microbial exposure. 8 projects studies in animal and plant model organisms to assess the role of different pathways of RCD in host responses to pathogenic or symbiotic microbes.