Internationaler Tag der Frauen und Mädchen in der Wissenschaft
PD Dr. Franziska Hopfner leitet den Bereich Neurogenetik an der Klinik für Neurologie mit Klinischer Neurophysiologie an der Medizinischen Hochschule Hannover. Mit ihrer Arbeitsgruppe untersucht sie die genetischen und epigenetischen Grundlagen und molekularen Mechanismen neurologischer Erkrankungen. Das Team hat zum Ziel, die Diagnose zu verbessern und langfristig für Patientinnen und Patienten eine ursächliche auf sie zugeschnittene Behandlung anzubieten.
Immunometabolic reprogramming to target cholesterol crystal-mediated inflammation in alveolar macrophages during lung fibrosis
Lung fibrosis is the result of abnormal lung tissue scarring resulting in difficulties to breath. The idiopathic form of lung fibrosis is characterized by unknown origin and a survival average of 3-4 years after diagnosis. Our project is focused in understanding how lung metabolism influences the beginning and progression of the disease. We recently found that lipid and cholesterol metabolism is disrupted during lung fibrosis in animal models.
Ultra-high field MR neurography
Diseases of the peripheral nervous system, so-called polyneuropathies, are very common disorders associated with a significant reduction in quality of life in patients affected. To date, the causes of most polyneuropathies remain poorly understood. MRI Imaging of peripheral nerves (MR neurography) allows for a non-invasive examination of nerves along their entire anatomical course.
Identification of novel targets for personalized treatment in metastatic uveal melanoma
The aim of this research project is to develop effective and individualized therapeutic approaches for patients with uveal melanoma. For this purpose, novel target molecules will be identified in patient-derived tumor samples using high-throughput methods and bioinformatic algorithms. The methodological basis for this project is an established biobanking with access to tissue samples and next-generation sequencing of the third generation.
Impact of antigen recognition and immunosuppression on pathogen-specific follicular T helper cells
Immunosuppression is present in the context of multiple diseases and is associated with impaired vaccine responses. Several diseases (such as liver cirrhosis) can result in immunosuppression but it can also be a consequence of immunosuppressive medication (e.g. after solid organ transplantation). However, the mechanisms that underlie both conditions may vary. This project will shed light on a specific T cell population - that is crucial in the development of antibody responses – in the context of liver cirrhosis and liver transplantation in patients receiving protective vaccinations.
Molecular Mechanisms of Tumor Cell Interactions in Follicular Lymphoma (MOMENTUM-FL)
Malignant lymphomas are the most common form of blood cancer. Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a common subtype. Most patients are diagnosed with advanced stage disease and -despite novel treatment options- are still considered incurable. The clinical course is highly variable with overall survival ranging from few years only to more than two decades. From our previous work we know that, in addition to numerous tumor cell intrinsic alterations, perturbations of the tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly impact treatment outcome.
Weltkrebstag – EKFS fördert Krebsforschung
In Deutschland erkranken etwa eine halbe Millionen Menschen jährlich an Krebs. Der Weltkrebstag findet jedes Jahr am 4. Februar statt und hat zum Ziel, Krebserkrankungen ins öffentliche Bewusstsein zu rücken. Die Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung unterstützt im Rahmen ihrer Förderlinien zahlreiche Projekte auf dem Gebiet der Krebsforschung, so wie das Projekt von Dr. Markus Eckstein vom Universitätsklinikum Erlangen. Der Projektleiter erforscht neue Therapieansätze für die Behandlung von Harnblasenkrebs.
Active celiac disease as promoter of cardiovascular morbidity: exploration of underlying mechanisms and effect of therapeutic intervention
Celiac disease (CeD), induced by nutritional gluten proteins, is a frequent autoimmune disease with a prevalence of 1-2 % worlwide. In CeD, immunogenic gluten peptides are incompletely digested by gastrointestinal proteases, which then reach the lamina propria of the proximal small intestine, where they are bound on HLA-DQ2 or -DQ8 molecules of antigen-presenting cells that activate CD4 T cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs).
Publikationspreis 2022
Die Preise sind mit jeweils 10.000 € für die private Verwendung des Preisträgers dotiert. Bewerben können sich geförderte Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler der Förderlinien Erst- und Zweitantragsteller, der Else Kröner Memorialstipendien und der Else Kröner Forschungskollegs.