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The interplay of adverse environmental factors and predisposing genetic alterations can lead to the development of inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis. Gut bacteria play an important role in this context and endogenous anti-microbial peptides contribute to regulating their diversity. In this project, we will produce a modified anti-microbial peptide for subsequent clinical testing.

Further information here. 

More than 1 in 10 adults worldwide is affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD), making it one of the leading causes of death globally. While a wide range of conditions can lead to chronic kidney failure, they all converge on a common pathological process: fibrosis, the progressive scarring of kidney tissue. Despite its central role in disease progression, effective anti-fibrotic therapies for broad use in CKD patients are still lacking.

Precision-RNA is pioneering an innovative platform to bring personalized RNA-based treatments into clinics - starting with severe, currently untreatable brain diseases. Using programmable molecules called antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), the platform can be tailored to each patient’s unique genetic mutation, yet remains scalable by applying a shared biological mechanism across many rare diseases. This innovative approach has already led to two individualized treatments for the rare neurological disease Ataxia-Telangiectasia, now in clinical use.

Researchers at the University Hospital of Cologne have identified promising, fully human antibodies that specifically neutralize a central virulence factor of the multidrug-resistant bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This bacterium causes severe infections, particularly in immunocompromised and ventilated patients. The antibodies are directed against the type III secretion system of the pathogen and show significantly higher efficacy in preclinical models than previously available approaches.

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is the most common autoimmune encephalitis. Current broadly immunosuppressive treatments are often limited by side effects, necessitating the exploration of more effective and autoantibody-specific alternatives.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of immune-mediated diseases that are treated with immunosuppressants such as Janus kinase 1 inhibitors (JAK1i). The relevant side effects of immunosuppressants include infections. Herpes viruses (including the varicella zoster virus - VZV) remain in the body for life and can reactivate in the event of immunodeficiency. Under treatment with JAK1i, there is an increased risk of VZV reactivation in individuals with IBD. Natural killer (NK) cells are part of the immune system and are important for controlling viral infections.

In this project, the team wants to find out why certain brain tumors (IDH-mutant astrocytomas) become more aggressive over the course of the disease. They suspect that the IDH mutation, which plays an important role in the development of these tumors, loses its influence as the disease progresses. To test this, the scientists are analyzing tumor cells from patients using various single-cell methods. The findings will help us understand the different stages of these tumors and improve their treatment.

Here you can find further information. 

This project investigates immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for skin cancer. These side effects can affect nearly all organs and may lead to the discontinuation of therapy. Although corticosteroids (glucocorticoids) are commonly used, they weaken the immune system and can impair the efficacy of ICI treatment. The goal of the project is to identify new molecular targets in tissue samples and blood to develop personalized treatment approaches.