Variable star monitoring in local group dwarf irregular galaxies

Dwarf galaxies in the local group provide a unique astrophysical laboratory. Despite their proximity some of these systems still lack reliable distance determinations as well as studies of their stellar content and star formation history. We present first results of our survey of variable stars in a sample of six local group dwarf irregular galaxies. Taking the Leo A dwarf galaxy as an example we describe observational strategies and data reduction. We discuss the light curves of two newly found Cepheids and place them into the context of a previously derived P-L relation. Finally we discuss the LPV content of Leo A.