Bad Homburg v. d. Höhe, August 29, 2024 – The foundation Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung (EKFS) awards its Else Kröner Memorial Fellowships to six particularly talented young physicians. Each fellowship amounts to 250,000 euros, and with this grant for individuals EKFS supports medical doctors who are active in clinical and scientific fields at the start of their professional careers.
To this day scientific work continues to pose special challenges for physicians, because the demands involved in clinical work frequently don’t allow any interrelated time for research. By being released from clinical responsibilities for two years, fellowship recipients have the opportunity to focus their efforts on a promising medical research project. “This leave of absence lays the cornerstone for scientific self-reliance and a career as clinician scientist,” explains Prof. Dr. Michael Madeja, Chairman of the Management Board at EKFS.
Eligible applicants were physicians in the postdoctoral phase of advanced training at university hospitals or other research facilities in Germany. The foundation received a total of 42 entries. This year’s Else Kröner Memorial Fellowships are being awarded to:
Dr. Peter-Martin Bruch (University Hospital of Düsseldorf): Mechanisms of immune system control in nodal B-cell lymphomas
In the case of lymphomas, immune cells influence the therapy and the disease’s progression. However, the precise mechanisms and the influence on attaining a prognosis are not clear. This project studies the interaction between immune cells and tumor cells. The findings resulting from this could lead to better therapeutic approaches and new treatment strategies.
Dr. Niklas S. Graßl (University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim): Clonal evolution of high-grade gliomas
The evolution of primary brain tumors is being investigated in this project. These tumors originate due to random mutations and selection. Inter alia they consist of heterogeneous cell clones that develop differently over time and respond to a variety of therapies, albeit to varyingly positive degrees. New sequencing techniques and mathematical models help toward comprehending the advantages of individual mutations and the growth of subclones. A comprehensive understanding of these processes is crucial in order to treat tumors in a more targeted and effective manner.
Dr. Bernd Heinrich (MHH Hannover Medical School): Decoding the interaction of innate lymphoid cells and microbiota in the case of subtypes of cholangiocarcinomas
Immunotherapy is part of the first-line therapy for bile duct cancer. This project aims to understand the network of bacteria and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) in the bile duct tumor (cholangiocarcinoma) and its environment. How this influences the course the disease takes is largely unknown. The new findings subsequently ought to serve toward optimizing immunotherapy.
Dr. Carla T. Palleis (LMU University Hospital of Munich): Investigation of the diagnostic value of [18F]PI-2620 tau-PET in the event of clinical suspicion of a presumable or possible PSP disorder
Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare neurodegenerative disease in which nerve cells in the brain progressively die due to deposits of tau protein. Until now these deposits have only been able to be corroborated after death, which is why the diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms. This project studies whether tau protein can be verifiably detected via nuclear medicine imaging (tau-PET scan) or in blood and cerebrospinal fluid during the early stages of the disease. This might enable an earlier and more precise diagnosis, and could be useful for therapeutic trials.
Dr. Patrick Süß (UKER University Hospital Erlangen): Influence of microglia on structural changes of the midbrain typical of Parkinson’s disease in the case of chronic bowel inflammations
Inflammations in the intestines and the spreading thereof to the brain can contribute to the emergence of Parkinson’s disease. In this project it is being studied on a mouse model and in human brain tissue how chronic bowel inflammation triggers structural changes typical of Parkinson’s disease and immune responses in the midbrain. To mitigate these factors, local immune cells, so-called microglia, are intended to be influenced in a targeted manner.
Dr. Stephan Traidl (MHH Hannover Medical School): Disease Modification – Sustainable influencing of atopic dermatitis using systemic therapies
Atopic dermatitis (AD), also referred to as neurodermatitis, is one of the most frequent chronic inflammatory skin conditions. In recent years new treatments (biologics and Janus kinase [JAK] inhibitors) have been approved which are targeted at the type 2 immune response. Whether these treatments bring about long-term changes is not clear yet. This project studies the issue with the help of clinical and “omics” data in order to identify persistent patterns of inflammation and sustained anti-inflammatory mechanisms that can influence the progression of the disease.
Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung (EKFS) – Advancing research. Helping people.
Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung is a non-profit foundation dedicated to the funding and advancement of medical research and the support of humanitarian projects. To date the foundation has funded around 2,600 projects. With an annual funding volume currently amounting to over 70 million euros it is the largest foundation in Germany that actively funds and supports medicine. You can find more information at: www.ekfs.de/en
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