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Retrotransposons are jumping genes in our genome that can cause a number of age-related and neurological diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The cellular protein shiftless appears to be an important factor in controlling retrotransposon activity. In this project, the team aim to uncover the molecular mechanism of shiftless and whether the factor can prevent the development of diseases. The results of the project may contribute to basic understanding of pathogenesis and to the development of new therapy and prevention strategies for neurological and age-related diseases.

A key part of any cancer treatment is the examination of a cancer tissue sample under the microscope. Here, the type of cancer and the organ from which it originated are assessed. In the case of a specific type of cancer - so-called squamous cell carcinoma - it is not always possible to clearly identify the organ of origin. However, a correct classification is important in order to determine how far the cancer has already spread and to be able to select the best treatment.

Compared to classical chemotherapeutic drugs, which act on many different (healthy) cell types, immunotherapies and novel cell therapeutics can specifically recognize and kill cancer cells. This allows not only to achieve strong anti-tumor effects, but also to reduce therapy-associated side effects. Certain types of lymphoma (e.g. Hodgkin's lymphoma) are more common in young adults. Although these young cancer patients would particularly benefit from these novel, less toxic treatment options, only a handful of these innovative therapeutics have been developed and are in clinical use.

This project aims to deepen the molecular understanding of ASXL1-mutated (ASXL1mut) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and subsequently leverage the findings to improve only very limited therapeutic possibilities. ASXL1mut frequently occur in myeloid diseases and, especially in AML, are accompanied by an unfavorable prognosis. By combining Asxl1mut with a genetic system randomly causing mutations, leukemia occurs in mice. Arising Asxl1mut AML are then sequenced and compared to human ASXL1mut AML, enabling the pinpointing of novel crucial events in leukemic development.

The scientists aim to integrate model-based personalized dosing of the antibiotic linezolid for critically ill patients into clinical practice. In the initial phase, they are assessing previously published population pharmacokinetic models to gauge their predictive accuracy for linezolid concentrations in patients' blood (external model evaluation). This will help the team identify the most suitable model for generating dosing recommendations based on individual patient characteristics (such as kidney function and body weight), along with measured linezolid blood levels.

In Europe, about 15-40 percentage of the population is affected by so-called 'dry eye disease'. Some of them suffer from a special form of this disease, which can lead to severe pain, impaired vision, and even blindness. In these patients, the lacrimal gland is damaged, caused by radiation therapy for tumor treatment in the head area, injuries, or autoimmune diseases. Currently, there is no established therapy to completely restore the lacrimal gland.

Autosomal‐dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common genetic kidney disorder in humans. Patients with ADPKD develop countless fluid‐filled cavities in their kidneys,
which lead to kidney failure and to the need for dialysis treatment. The project aims to develop new treatment options for this disease. Applying 3D cell culture techniques, a “kidney‐on‐chip” platform,