Dr. med. Johanna Knöferle

As a clinical scientist and practicing neurologist, I'm deeply committed to the study and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson syndrome, and frontotemporal dementia. These diseases, currently incurable, profoundly impact the daily lives of my patients, which fuels my quest for solutions.

My primary focus is the exploration of the intricate link between the immune and nervous systems, specifically how immune dysfunction may contribute to these neurodegenerative conditions. A key question guiding my research is whether our body's peripheral immune responses, typically responsible for defending against pathogens, inadvertently target the nervous system and play a role in neurodegenerative diseases. I'm also invested in identifying unique neo-antigens that could influence these immune responses.

My overarching goal is to use the insights gained from my research to identify novel early biomarkers for diseases like Alzheimer's, paving the way for innovative therapeutic strategies.

To achieve this, we employ state-of-the-art molecular biology techniques such as single cell T-cell receptor sequencing, T-cell engineering, and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell models. The hope is that our work will not only advance our understanding of these complex diseases but also provide tangible benefits for those affected by them.