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Professorships of 2024

Professorships of 2024

In 2024, the Faculty of Medicine appointed the following professors* to the University of Bonn:

Prof. Radosław P. Nowak

Professor for "Immune Engineering and Drug Discovery" at the Institute of Structural Biology at the University Hospital Bonn.

The 36-year-old biochemist will strengthen the ImmunoSensation2 Cluster of Excellence at the University of Bonn scientifically in the field of systems immunology. He also wants to actively promote the topic of "drug discovery" in Bonn on an interfaculty basis and with non-university institutes. The aim is to create a high-performance, internationally competitive center for drug discovery. Prof. Nowak's academic training took him first to Oxford and then to Boston. He now comes from the Center for Protein Degradation (CPD) at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Medical School.

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© Universitätsklinikum Bonn / Rolf Müller

"Proteins are converted in the cell in a natural way," says Prof. Nowak, who wants to use such recycling processes to discover new drugs. Proteins are broken down by the so-called ubiquitin-proteasome system. Special enzymes, known as E3 ligases, bind misfolded and dysfunctional proteins and mark them with ubiquitin for destruction by the proteasome - a cellular waste disposal system where the proteins are chopped into pieces and recycled. Proteolytic chimeras (PROTACs), or molecular glue degraders, can disrupt this natural degradation process and target proteins that were previously considered non-therapeutic. The dumbbell-shaped PROTACs glue the target protein to the E3 ubiquitin ligase via their two binding arms, thus enabling the transfer of ubiquitins and subsequent degradation by the proteasome. "We call this targeted protein degradation. This is because we can now develop PROTACs or find molecular glue degraders with which we can specifically attack proteins that were previously difficult to combat," says Prof. Nowak.

His dream is to contribute to the discovery of new drugs
Together with his team, he wants to find out how protein interactions within a cell can be redesigned for therapeutic benefit in this way. "The feeling that we have discovered something new is exciting. In current research, the discovery is a team effort and that's what makes it so special," says Prof. Nowak. For this reason, he would like to create a long-term network at the UKB and the University of Bonn that focuses on various aspects of drug discovery. It will involve clinicians, basic researchers and the biotechnology sector in order to organize research and lead it towards therapeutic development. "Being embedded in a hospital at UKB, I find it particularly important to focus on research that has translational potential. Drug discovery is a challenging and sometimes lengthy process, but it always starts with a fundamental discovery and often with a chemical or biological tool. In my lab, which focuses on targeted protein degradation and small molecule-induced proximity, I want to develop these novel technologies, discover new mechanisms of action of small molecules and further develop them for therapeutic potential," says Prof. Nowak.

The biochemist was happy to come to Bonn because the UKB and the University of Bonn have put together a number of outstanding research groups with a strong focus on immunology. "The combination of immunology with cutting-edge technologies such as chemistry, proteomics, nanobodies, structural biology or gene editing fits perfectly with my expertise in targeted protein degradation, induced proximity and the discovery of small molecules for drugs," says the father of three, who travels and does sports - skiing or cycling - in his spare time. He would love to return to gliding - one of his hobbies from his university days.

Prof. Dr. Christian Kirschneck

Prof. Dr. Christian Kirschneck is the new Director at the Polyclinic for Orthodontics at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB). The 37-year-old successor to Prof. Dr. Andreas Jäger wants to further develop the extensive range of treatments, including adult orthodontics, in Bonn and offer each patient an individually optimised therapy strategy with minimal side effects and risks. In doing so, he relies on comprehensive personalized diagnostics and artificial intelligence (AI). Other focal points of the clinic are cleft lip and palate (LKG) and craniofacial malformations, dysgnathia surgery and dental traumatology as well as obstructive sleep breathing disorders. In his research, Prof. Kirschneck studies hereditary factors of skull growth and tooth development as well as oral immunology. For this, the former deputy director of orthodontics at the University Hospital Regensburg received the DBZMK´s Miller Prize, and the DGFKO´s Arnold Biber Prize twice.

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© Universitätsklinikum Bonn/ Rolf Müller

„Orthodontics is prevention. For example, early correction of misaligned teeth can have additional positive effects, especially in children and adolescents, who are often stigmatized because of their appearance," says Prof. Kirschneck. He therefore focuses on personalised orthodontic diagnostics, therapy planning and implementation as well as their digitisation through the sensible use of artificial intelligence algorithms such as 3D scans, planning and digital workflow, automated AI diagnostics, 3D printing as well as computer-assisted design and computer-assisted manufacturing, CAD/CAM for short. At the University Hospital Regensburg, Prof. Kirschneck established an in-house digital CAD/CAM workflow for the computer-aided production of dental alignment splints using virtual planning and 3D printing. To increase the quality of care, he recently introduced a digital production of custom-fit, orally glued wire retainers to stabilize achieved tooth position corrections. He will continue to develop modern procedures, especially in adult orthodontics such as aligner therapy, which is already common in Bonn. "I would like to see an orthodontics department in Bonn with modern patient care at the highest level, which is gladly sought out and appreciated by satisfied patients," says the new clinic director.

Early detection and a key to better treatment strategies
The genetic background, i.e. the hereditary factors of skull growth, tooth development and thus orthodontically relevant pathological changes, is a focus of his research. In the future, screening tests for the early detection of pathologies or reaction patterns to orthodontic treatment will allow timely therapy that is individually tailored to those affected. Prof. Kirschneck also focuses his scientific attention on oral immunology: "Cellular-molecular mechanisms that underlie orthodontic tooth movements and periodontitis are a key to improving orthodontic treatments." For example, nicotine has a negative influence on acute periodontal inflammation. In 2019, he was awarded the Miller Prize of the German Society of Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, the most highly endowed science prize in German dentistry, for his work, which is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG).

He also sheds light on direct "mechanotransduction", i.e. a transfer of mechanical forces into a biological reaction for tooth movement. Since such models from orthodontics are also interesting for scientific questions from general immunology or oncology, he is striving for close cooperation in Bonn. "A connection to the Bonn research priorities 'Immunosciences and Infection', 'Genetics and Epidemiology' and 'Oncology' as well as the Cluster of Excellence 'ImmunoSensation2' at the University of Bonn opens up excellent opportunities for me," says the new clinic director, describing one of the motivations for accepting the call to Bonn.

Training is close to his heart
With the focus of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Kirschneck can continue his previous research at the Bonn location. The new student teaching building at the Bonn Dental Clinic offers the opportunity for modern teaching. "A prerequisite – on the occasion of the new dental licensing regulations – is to enable training that is closer to the patient and closer to medicine with the direct involvement of the students," says the father of two young daughters.  Bonn, as the former German capital and Beethoven city, also has a rich cultural and infrastructural offer: "All in all, it made the decision easy for my wife and me to come to Bonn from Regensburg. In addition, I have already performed Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata as a piano soloist at several university events, something that in a way connected me to Bonn early on."

Prof. Dr. Valentin Sebastian Schäfer

Valentin Sebastian Schäfer has been appointed as the new professor for point-of-care imaging of inflammatory processes and head of the Rheumatology Section at the Medical Clinic III at the University Hospital Bonn. Here, he focuses on imaging and immunological research into vasculitis, myositis and therapy resistance mechanisms in arthritis such as psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

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© Universitätsklinikum Bonn/ Rolf Müller

In the course of his career, Schäfer gained extensive experience in clinical medicine and research as a clinician scientist. After studying at Charles University in Prague, Faculty Hradec Králové, as a scholarship holder, and at the Mayo Clinic, he continued his career as an assistant physician at the University Hospitals of Erlangen, Regensburg and Berlin. Most recently, he worked as a senior physician in rheumatology at the University Hospital of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. Since 2018, he has been head of rheumatology at the UKB, where he also heads the Psoriatic Arthritis Center, the Uveitis Center and, since 2024, the Vasculitis Center West. He is also a member of the Hospital Conference. In addition to his clinical duties, he is involved as team leader of ASV rheumatology, co-team leader of ASV sarcoidosis and member of the ethics committee of the medical faculty of Bonn.

Valentin Schäfer is well connected internationally. After a research fellowship at the Mayo Clinic Rochester in Minnesota, he was awarded the Bilka Visiting Professorship there in 2018. He collaborates with renowned scientists and centers worldwide, including Harvard Medical School, Oxford University, MAYO Clinic, the University of Groningen and the Sapienza University of Rome.

Significant contributions to rheumatology
Prof. Schäfer is has received many awards. His most important awards include the Rudolf Schoen Prize of the German Society of Rheumatology (2020), the Research Award of the Young Rheumatology Group (2023) and the Project Award of the German Rheumatology Foundation (2024). In addition, he has recieved numerous lecture, poster and abstract prizes at national and international congresses.

In his research, Valentin Schäfer has led over 40 clinical-immunological phase I-III studies, including industry and academically sponsored studies. Particularly noteworthy are his work on the early diagnosis and differentiation of psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as innovative projects such as the current RheumaKED study, which investigates the effect of ketone ester supplementation on disease activity and muscle maintenance in arthritis and vasculitides. Other focal points are long-term studies on giant cell arteritis and research into resistance mechanisms under immunosuppressive therapy in arthritis. His expertise in imaging diagnostics is reflected in numerous publications covering topics such as joint and vascular ultrasound, molecular imaging of adhesion proteins, and the development of innovative AI-based methods.

Enthusiasm for teaching
Schäfer is also heavily involved in teaching. He has been awarded teaching prizes, is a member of the study commission of the Medical Faculty of Bonn and has a significant influence on didactics in the field of ultrasound. In addition, he has developed innovative teaching formats such as a digital rheumatological escape room at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) to make learning more interactive and practical. With extensive certifications, including DEGUM Level III in joint sonography, he is also spokesman for the working group on sonography of the musculoskeletal organs at DEGUM. His didactic skills are underpinned by numerous further training courses.

The University Hospital Bonn offers Schäfer ideal conditions for his clinical and scientific work. He particularly emphasizes the transdisciplinary research area "Life and Health" and the "Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation2". In his private life, the 41-year-old family man, who is married and has a son, enjoys the wide range of leisure activities in Bonn, including swimming, cycling and hunting.

With his extensive expertise and commitment, Valentin Schäfer enriches rheumatological research and care in Bonn and beyond.

Prof. Dr. Tatjana Tchumatchenko

Tatjana Tchumatchenko is the new Professor of Computational Neuroscience of Behaviour and head of the research group at the Institute of Experimental Epileptology and Cognitive Research at the UKB. Her research focuses on the study of the neuronal code and the cooperation of neuronal networks in the brain. In her studies, she works in close cooperation with international research groups, both in the processing of external data and in the design of theoretical models for the analysis of neural networks.

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© Tchumatchenko Gruppe

The physicist, previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Columbia University and as a research group leader at the Max Planck Institute during her career, held a professorship at the University of Bonn from 2020-2021. After most recently working as deputy director at the Institute of Physiological Chemistry at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, she has now returned to Bonn. At the University of Bonn, she particularly appreciates the science-oriented cooperation among colleagues. "Good cooperation and networking among the theoretical, clinical and experimental colleagues in Bonn are reason enough for me to return here," says Tchumatchenko.

Research on neuronal networks
Her goals at the UKB include research into the computational strategies of neurons, as well as a better understanding of synaptic plasticity and the behavioral functions it controls. She also focuses on the organization of molecular dynamics within dendrites, and how this contributes to synaptic plasticity. To do so, she works with different levels of abstraction, ranging from the micro level of proteins to the macro level of network dynamics, in order to follow the synthesis of different computational operations along all these levels, says the winner of the Heinz Maier Leibniz Prize. 

To achieve this, Tchumatchenko's team is researching the development of artificial neural networks and working closely with other international research groups to enable mutual exchange and evaluation of data. This is an important step in bringing different neuronal phenomena into harmony. "The diversity of the data collected and the different model approaches make it possible to dovetail different phenomena that were previously considered separately," says Tchumatchenko. Overall, the new findings are of great importance not only for basic research, but also for the design of neurobiologically inspired artificial neural networks and the understanding of neuronal diseases.

She praises the new research location in Bonn not only for its scientific beenfits. Her eldest son now benefits from the unique support of gifted students by the Bonn Math Club, which does not exist elsewhere. Therefore, Tchumatchenko is satisfied with her move to Bonn.

Prof. Dr. Nadine Scholten

Nadine Scholten is the new Professor of Psycho-Oncological and Psychosomatic Health Services Research at the University of Bonn, and head of the Research Center for Health Communication and Health Services Research. At the UKB, she will work on health services research and research funding applications in cooperation with various clinics in the fields of neonatology, infectiology and general medicine. The certified economist is looking forward to gaining further insights in health services research in the future and inspiring others for her field.

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© Universitätsklinikum Bonn/ Bernadett Yehdou

After working at the Institute for Medical Sociology, Health Services Research and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Cologne for 14 years, the registered nurse will now continue her work in Bonn. She shows enthusiasm for health services research, and dealt with hospital billing data for her economics diploma. Scholten has worked with the UKB in the past. As part of the NEO-Milk project, an app was developed to support parents of children with low birth weight in pumping milk.

Focus on third-party funded projects
In her focus on health services research, which is an interdisciplinary field of research that aims to improve care towards more patient centricity, Nadine Scholten deals with innovations through third-party funded research projects. As she highlights, the needs of the persons and organisations providing care must also be taken into account, which is why cooperation between different institutions is important. "Health services research is an interdisciplinary field that can only benefit from many perspectives and depends on a close interlocking of clinic and research," says Scholten. Important research stations for her have been third-party funded research projects, the development and implementation of which she has worked on, including research on the evaluation of the SAPV in North Rhine, and on the scientifically supported use of webcams in neonatal intensive care units.

After being appointed to the University of Bonn, Scholten was able to successfully transfer two third-party funded research projects, including the MAM-Care project on obstetrics launched at the beginning of 2022, and has initiated the submission of further research funding applications in cooperation with various departments of the UKB. In the future, she sees psycho-oncological and psychosomatic health care research as an important focus. She also mentions the area of digitization and AI, which is particularly prominent at the UKB, as an important common starting point. She and her team are open to questions and indications, says Scholten, who announces: "We are happy to support all researchers at the UKB who are interested in health services research with our expertise in the field of health services research methods - from the application to the successful implementation of research projects".

Nadine Scholten looks forward to her future at the UKB. During her work in Cologne, she was able to gain positive experiences with the UKB as a project partner. She is particularly impressed by the proximity to cutting-edge medicine, an excellent research environment, which is an "ideal starting point for successful interdisciplinary research projects", and the innovative spirit of the employees. She describes the innovative and research-friendly environment as "an excellent basis for health services research".

Prof. Dr. Tim Clarner

Tim Clarner has been the new Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology since September 2023, and is the Director of the Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the UKB. His research focuses on the elucidation of pathological and cytodegenerative processes in multiple sclerosis, as well as on various teaching tasks. The specialist anatomist is currently involved in research projects on the role of astrocytes and the protein lipocalin 2 in neurodegenerative processes. He focusses on the disease multiple sclerosis, the first symptoms of which often occur in young adults.

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© Universität Bonn/Barbara Frommann

Mechanisms of multiple sclerosis
The disease is characterized by an often intermittent migration of immune cells into the central nervous system. While this is inhibited by therapeutic approaches, the causes and mechanisms for this migration have not yet been thoroughly researched, according to the MS researcher. Among other things, neuroinflammatory processes that take place at the blood-brain barrier play a role here. Furthermore, the research of the group focuses on understanding cytodegenerative aspects, processes that influence the loss of myelin-forming oligodendtrocytes and thus influence the loss of the myelin sheath that surround nerve cells.

The MS researcher also lists important future research projects. For one, he and his team will dedicate themselves to researching the role of astrocytes in lesions that develop during multiple sclerosis. In cooperation with Neuroanatomy Bonn, as well as the anatomical institutes in Rostock and Aachen, research on reactive astrocytes is carried out using mouse models and cell culture studies. This promises to be an important advance in MS research, as astrocytes appear to play a large role in the development of lesions. Reactive astrocytes, which react strongly to pathological processes in the central nervous system and can influence them, are also a characteristic feature of multiple sclerosis. The characterization of their morphological and functional changes promises to elucidate much about their role in the disease.

Furthermore, Clarner's research group at the UKB is investigating the secreted protein lipocalin 2 (LCN2), which could play an important role in lesion development and progression of MS. Since LNC2 is involved in various aspects of MS, such as the development and progression of lesions, the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, and the migration of astrocytes towards the damaged tissue, it is of particular interest to the researchers.

The 44-year-old spent a large part of his scientific career at RWTH Aachen University. After a stay in La Plata, Argentina, and writing his diploma thesis, the specialist anatomist received his doctorate in Aachen in 2011, and worked in neuroanatomy as a research assistant until 2023, and later as deputy director of the institute. After working as a professor of anatomy at the University of Rostock, Clarner has now decided to continue his scientific career at the UKB.

Excellent conditions in Bonn
Professor Tim Clarner praises the many benefits at the Bonn University Hospital. He highlights the excellent research environment and numerous cooperation opportunities at the UKB, and is enthusiastic about the "great laboratory infrastructure, including in-house animal husbandry and very good spatial conditions". This infrastructure and cooperation opportunities support him in his goals, such as expanding cooperation within and outside Bonn and establishing modern in vitro methods for researching cell-cell interactions. The newly appointed professor, who was also appointed RWTH Lecturer in 2017, also takes pleasure in his teaching task at the UKB and praises the training of students in Bonn "at a high technical and didactic level." He is very committed to teaching students of human medicine and dentistry in the field of preclinical training. "I always try to have an open ear for the challenges our students face and to support them in their studies," says the father of two children, who also aims to further develop digital courses.

Prof. Dr. Katrin Paeschke

Katrin Paeschke is the new Professor of Cellular Biochemistry at the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology. Together with her team, she researches changes in DNA and RNA structure, in particular its role in immunology. They are also a part of the Bonn Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation 2. The biochemist, born in the Rhineland, who completed her intermediate diploma at the University of Bonn, was already working as a professor of translational oncology at the UKB before her appointment. In the course of her career, she spent time as a research assistant at Princeton University and was an associate professor at the University of Groningen.

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© Universitätsklinikum Bonn/ Alessandro Winkler

Katrin Paeschke and her team are part of the Bonn Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation 2. They are investigating G-quadruplexes, secondary DNA and RNA structures, and the effect of altering these structures, as well as their function in the immune response, cellular stress, and aging. These findings are relevant for cancer research and immunology, as DNA can also be folded by viruses and bacteria and thus influence the immune system, Paeschke says. The various projects of the working group include the influence of DNA and RNA helicases on the formation of G4 complexes under infection or environmental influences, and the influence of changing G4 structures on the immune response.

In Bonn, Paeschke is looking forward to working as a part of the Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation 2 with promising plans. The goal is to work with members of the Cluster to further clarify how folds in DNA and RNA control the function and efficiency of immune cells and how this is altered in diseases by deciphering the molecular mechanism. They will combine biochemical approaches with systematic and global investigations, and work with pure cell cultures as well as primary cells from patients. The recipient of the ERC Starting Grant is looking forward to a successful collaboration: "The dynamic, international and highly cooperative research environment in Bonn convinced me of Bonn as a location," says Paeschke.

Prof. Dr. Kerstin Ludwig

At the Institute of Human Genetics, Prof. Kerstin Ludwig is the new Professor of Immunogenetics. In her research, she investigates the contribution of genetics to infectious and immune diseases. In addition to identifying the genes involved, she investigates their role in specific biological processes and the interplay between genes and environmental factors. The starting point of her research is the observation that diseases of the immune system can take very different courses in affected patients. There are major differences not only in symptoms, but also in response to medication and non-drug therapies. These differences are caused, among other things, by variability in the genetic constitution of humans. Many diseases of the immune system follow a multifactorial etiology, i.e. they are influenced by both genetic and non-genetic factors.

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© Universität Bonn/ Bernadett Yehdou

Current research projects on genetics
One of Ludwig's current research topics is the genetics of long-COVID, a long-term health impairment resulting from an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. In an extension of the Bonn study on COVID genetics (BoSCO study) funded by the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG), Ludwig is working on the potential of genome sequencing to improve diagnostics and therapy in long-COVID patients. Other projects of Ludwig's research group deal with the application of systematic high-throughput methods for the functional interpretation of genetic variance, which can be used to identify those genetic variants that have a high disease value among a large number of identified genetic variants. As a special project, Ludwig is interested in setting up a platform called the "International Biobank Data Access and Analysis Hub" in order to make the resources routinely used in human genetic research usable for other working groups of the faculty. This cross-disciplinary resource is intended to provide various research groups with access to data from world-leading biomedical biobanks, such as UKBiobank, and to support them in their analysis.

Work at the research location Bonn
Born in Dresden, she completed her studies in molecular biotechnology at TU Dresden and ESBS Strasbourg. Her enthusiasm for the subject of human genetics developed during her stay at the University of Toronto, where she wrote her diploma thesis in the "Genetics of Neurodevelopmental Disorders" research group. Since her doctorate at the Institute of Human Genetics in Bonn, where she conducted research on the genetics of reading and spelling difficulties in the research group of Prof. Markus Nöthen, Ludwig now feels at home here. During her postdoc, she investigated the genetics of orofacial clefts, together with PD Elisabeth Mangold, and first came into contact with the then novel method of "next-generation sequencing", which has now established itself as a standard technology in biomedicine and which she still uses in her research today. In the further course of her scientific career, Ludwig was initially funded in the Bonn junior research program BONFOR before she was accepted into the Emmy Noether Program of the DFG. In the course of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the experienced human geneticist was then able to apply her expertise to the investigation of the genetics of Covid-19: "We founded the Bonn Study on COVID Genetics here and with this study in national and international initiatives, we have contributed to the process of a large number of genetic risk factors for severe COVID-19, for example, having been found to date," explains Ludwig. Her technological expertise also helped to develop a new high-throughput method for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 infections together with Prof. Schmid-Burgk, which has since been used as a LAMPseq method for testing UKB employees and students.

Ludwig gladly accepted the professorship after her successful stay in Bonn and rejected an offer from the Medical Faculty of Graz. As one of the reasons for this decision, she cites the excellent structure and supporting programs of the University of Bonn, from which she herself has benefited. She also emphasizes the excellent scientific environment, which is due, among other things, to the integration of her research group into the Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation2. Due to the high level of interdisciplinarity and the good link between basic science and applied research, this is excellently suited for the investigation of genetic variability. Ludwig's professorship bridges the gap between the focus areas of "Immunity and Infections" and "Genetics and Epidemiology", which will also be further expanded at the faculty in the future, e.g. through the appointment of Kaan Botzug ́.

Prof. Ludwig’s private life 
 Ludwig and her family also benefit privately from the pleasant surroundings of the city of Bonn. The mother of two children describes the city as very liveable and sees similarities to her hometown. She appreciates both the Rheinaue and the Kottenforst as centrally connected places of recreation, as well as the lively carnival tradition of the Rhineland, in which she now enjoys participating with her whole family.

Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Pandyra

The professorship of Translational Immunology has been taken up by Prof. Aleksandra Pandyra. Her work at the UKB focuses on viral infections, onco-immunology and the development of novel therapeutic approaches to reduce the burden of diseases. Her work in the preclinical setting focuses on the discovery of new disease-specific therapeutic interventions, with a focus on drug repurposing in the context of viral infections and tumour models, and with specific concentration on the discovery of novel immunomodulating compounds. " Specifically, the dream would be to repurpose a drug with previously unknown immunomodulatory properties and develop it into an early phase clinical setting." explains Pandyra. For this, she and her team also use in vivo mouse models to test the preclinical efficacy of antiviral and antitumor drug candidates.

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© Universitätsklinikum Bonn/ Rolf Müller

The work done by Pandyra´s research group includes a focus on the influence of myeloid cells on tumours and their infectious microenvironment, and on factors influencing their immunosuppressive properties. To do this, they use genetic models that can be used to manipulate various epigenetic and metabolic factors in the myeloid compartment. Using in vivo and ex vivo models, the effect on antiviral and antitumor immunity can then be investigated. In addition, the immunologist and her team are focusing, for example, on the study of certain vaccines to determine whether they can be used to train the immune system and prevent the harmful effects of chronic viral infection, as well as the progression of tumour formation.

International collaborations
With her research group, Aleksandra Pandyra is part of the Bonn Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation 2. She is also involved in several international and national collaborations, including her collaboration with researchers from the University of Düsseldorf, the University of Giessen, the Charité Berlin, and Zytovision GmBH on the "EDI-4-ALL" project, an approach for the early detection and interception of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The project, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, is running in cooperation with BCNatal, a maternity clinic in Barcelona, and aims to develop new analytical methods for the early detection of leukemia in newborns.

Before starting her research in Bonn, the immunologist, who earned her doctorate at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, worked as a junior research group leader in the Clinic for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology at the University Hospital Düsseldorf. Durimg this time, she focussed on research into the anti-viral immune response and the influence of immune infiltrates in the microenvironment of tumours. However, Pandyra is very happy with her move to Bonn, and she praises the great scientific environment, the collaboration with excellent scientific researchers, and the integration of the professorship into the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) . " The Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology is an ideal environment to do translational research as it has a clinical study center, a Phase I Unit, the biobank, the laboratory diagnostics in addition to the excellent research environment with a number of research groups in immunology and infection, all under one roof.," says the specialist. Furthermore, she sees the integrated ImmunoSensation 2 cluster of excellence as a great advantage and appreciates being able to work in this environment.

Prof. Dr. Martin Reuter

Martin Reuter is the new Professor of Artificial Intelligence in Medical Imaging at the UKB
Prof. Dr. Martin Reuter, an internationally recognized expert in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical imaging, takes on the new professorship "Artificial Intelligence for Medical Imaging" at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB). Reuter, who previously worked at MIT and Harvard Medical School in Boston, continues to hold positions as an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, at the Atinuola A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital, and as a research group leader at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Bonn, in addition to his professorship in Bonn.

Development of important AI methods
Prof. Reuter's research focuses on the development of innovative AI methods for the analysis of medical image data, which are widely used in medical research, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. He has previously made groundbreaking progress in the fields of image processing and AI. Particularly noteworthy is the open-source software FastSurfer, which is based on specially developed new AI models and is already being used worldwide in neuroimaging research and in large cohort studies. "The application of AI in medical image processing makes it possible to obtain accurate measurement data quickly, e.g. to quantify small changes in the brain at an early stage, to provide more precise diagnoses and to significantly advance research into neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's," explains Prof. Reuter. The use of deep learning techniques to recognize patterns in 3D image data that are often difficult for experts to access is particularly promising. "AI enables early detection before clinical symptoms become visible, which can form the basis for early follow-up examinations as well as individually created therapies," Reuter continues.

In the coming years, the importance of AI in medical imaging will continue to grow. "AI methods are already a key area of medical research today and will revolutionize clinical practice in the future, by enabling faster and more accurate diagnostics, as well as personalized therapeutic approaches," emphasizes the researcher. The application of AI can also be used to process the growing amounts of data from medical imaging more efficiently and precisely. "This does not replace the radiologist, but it does provide him with a powerful tool to treat patients even better and in a more targeted manner."

New opportunities at the UKB
In Bonn, Prof. Reuter will further develop new concepts, such as explainable AI that enables doctors to examine the results directly in the image data in a comprehensible way. Other research focuses are the development of innovative neural network technologies, such as Voxel-size Independent Neural Networks, which work independently of image resolution and thus require less data for training. Such innovations are critical to bringing AI technologies into medical practice faster and maximizing their benefits to patient care.

"The excellent interdisciplinary research infrastructure at the DZNE and the close cooperation with, for example, the Rhineland Study offer me ideal conditions to validate my methodology quickly and efficiently and to support the study with modern, tailor-made tools," says Reuter. He also greatly appreciates the clinical cooperation at the UKB, which enables direct exchange between researchers and doctors. "Bonn thus offers me not only excellent scientific and technological conditions, but also a unique opportunity to actively shape the future of medical imaging and diagnostics."

Jun.-Prof. Tim Rollenske

Tim Rollenske is the new Assistant Professor of Mucosal Immunology at the UKB´s Institute of Molecular Medicine and Experimental Immunology. In hi research, he focuses on the interaction of the microbiome with the immune system, with especial concentration on the effect of antibodies on the microbiome, an important and health-promoting bacterial community that is mainly found on mucous membranes, especially in the intestine. Research into the interaction of the microbiome with the immune system is his central project at the UKB, as the microbiome is important for the development of the immune system and plays a central role in the subsequent formation of diseases.

When researching the role of antibodies and the antibody response, his focus will be on type A antibodies (IgA). Our body produces a large amount of IgA antibodies every day, whose effect on our microbiome and immune system has not yet been conclusively determined, says Rollenske. In Bonn, however, the immunologist would also like to expand his focus and conduct research on mucosal vaccines, as well as identify protective antibodies against antibiotic-resistant bacteria with the help of gnotobiotic models. The development of new methods to study the complex system that is the microbiome is a further goal of Rollenskes' research group. This includes work on single-cell analyses and the improved production of monoclonal antibodies.

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© Universitätsklinikum Bonn

Before his transfer to Bonn, Tim Rollenske worked at the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology in Berlin, the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg, the Maurice Müller Laboratories in Bern, and the Inselspital in Bern. However, the move to Bonn was not a difficult decision for him. "In addition to the specific infrastructure required to conduct our research, the Bonn location offers me everything I need to develop my team and myself personally. In particular, the professional competence and research zeal in the Immunosensation2 Cluster of Excellence convinced me to come to Bonn," praises Rollenske.

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