Funded scientists
Table of contents
Funded projects 2025
Franziska Baenke, PhD | MPA
Project title: "Optimising Therapeutic Strategies through Precision Medicine in Cancer"
Structural unit: Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery
Project description
Gastrointestinal cancers pose significant clinical challenges due to their complex behavior, frequent local recurrences, and distant metastases. My research focuses on understanding the tumour biology of these cancers—particularly the mechanisms influencing treatment response.
The aim of my habilitation is dedicated to the development and application of advanced cell models to improve the stratification of patients based on their treatment responses and to identify novel therapeutic targets. Patient-derived organoids will be central to this research as these miniaturised and simplified organ-like avatars allow accurate disease modeling and treatment testing. The overarching goal is to establish reliable models that predict patient-specific responses, contributing to personalised oncology and improved patient care.
By utilising complex organoid models that incorporate multiple cell types, we will characterise their feasibility for personalised oncology approaches. Close collaboration with biologists, computational biologists, clinicians, and pathologists is essential to improve the precision and effectiveness of cancer therapies.
Dr. med. Christina Jentsch
Project title: „Molecular PET-CT imaging for biologically optimised radiotherapy in a preclinical human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma model"
Structural unit: Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology
Project description
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a non-invasive imaging procedure that can be used for staging and therapy monitoring, e.g. before, during and after radiotherapy. PET can be used to visualise therapy-relevant tumour characteristics in vivo. By integrating PET/CT fusion imaging into radiotherapy planning, metabolically active (glucose uptake using fluorodeoxyglucose PET; [18F]FDG) and thus probably therapy-resistant tumour areas can be identified and treated in a targeted manner, e.g. using intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or local irradiation dose enhancement (“boost”). Squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck are among the most common indications for radiotherapy. Despite immense progress in radiotherapy techniques, the achievable cure rates for such advanced tumours are still unsatisfactory. Individualisation of therapy with the aim of increasing tumour cure rates is therefore of the highest clinical interest. The determination of biological parameters that influence the outcome of radiotherapy using [18F]FDG PET before and during fractionated radiotherapy can contribute to individually modified patient treatment. Clinical studies have shown that this inter-tumoural heterogeneity correlates with outcome. A low oxygen concentration (or hypoxia) in a tumour, which is associated with increased aggressiveness and a reduced response rate to radiotherapy or chemotherapy, is one of the parameters of the tumour microenvironment that has been known for many years. Hypoxia measured with [18F]fluoromisonidazole ([18F]FMISO) is robust and has a strong impact on locoregional control and overall survival in head and neck cancer patients. In cooperation with the PET Centre, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, the Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, the OncoRay - National Centre for Radiation Research in Oncology, the Department of Nuclear Medicine and the radiobiology laboratory of the Department of Radiation Oncology, animal experiments were carried out in FaDu tumours, a human squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. In extensive experiments, the effect of the PET tracers [18F]FDG and [18F]FMISO before single-dose irradiation and before and during fractionated irradiation of FaDu tumours on local tumour control was analyzed. The aim of my habilitation project is to investigate important underlying experimental radiotherapeutic and radiobiological principles. In addition, these will be evaluated in the context of current clinical studies, e.g. on local dose escalation of PET-positive tumour subvolumes. In this way, I would like to make a contribution to the individually modified treatment of head and neck tumour patients.
Dr. med. Eva Schäflein
Project title: Self-awareness and body awareness in patients with trauma-related disorders
Structural unit: Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine
Project description
Although the promotion of self-awareness and body awareness is a clinically relevant psychotherapeutic topic in the treatment of patients with trauma-related disorders, these topics have so far been insufficiently investigated, especially in experimental paradigms. Dissociative symptoms are increasingly seen as transdiagnostic phenomena that occur in various mental disorders and are particularly common in patients with trauma-related disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate self-perception and body awareness in connection with dissociative symptoms at various levels in patients with different trauma disorders in order to uncover potential mechanisms that may be able to further improve diagnostic and therapeutic services.
Funded projects in 2023/2024
Dr. med. Micaela Ebert
Project title: Diagnosis and Therapy of Ventricular Arrhythmias in Patients with Structural Heart Disease
Structural unit: Heart center Dresden
Project descriptionVentricular tachycardias (VT) represent the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in the population. Pathophysiologically, these malignant arrhythmias are often associated with a structural heart disease, mostly ischemic (in the context of coronary heart disease) but can also be non-ischemic in origin. The current state of research on the treatment of patients with VT is mainly based on findings from studies in the field of ischemic cardiomyopathy. Patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy still lack adequate understanding of how the electrophysiological treatment should vary compared to that of ischemic cardiomyopathy, with the aim of ultimately improving the notably poorer prognosis. These considerable differences among etiologies involve distinctions in the architecture, pattern, and expression of the myocardial fibrosis, which typically forms the pathophysiologic basis for the arrhythmogenic substrate harboring ventricular arrhythmias. Catheter ablation is an effective therapeutic strategy in this context. The research underlying my habilitation primarily aims to gain more knowledge about the underlying mechanisms, patient characteristics, and interventional treatment strategies for ventricular arrhythmias in ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Dr. med. dent. Susann Hertel
Project title: Initial oral bioadhesion processes in children
Structural unit: Department of Dental Maintenance, Pediatric Dentistry
Project description
Early childhood caries is the most common chronic disease in pre-school children. The consequences of untreated dental caries can include toothache, dental infections and premature loss of deciduous teeth, with subsequent effects on the permanent dentition. The main components of caries prevention in children are dietary advice to parents to reduce sugar consumption, daily dental care with fluoride toothpaste and regular dental check-ups. Additional preventive measures to improve children's dental health are desirable. This requires basic research on caries pathogenesis and individual factors that may influence caries susceptibility. Caries development is based on bio-adhesion processes in the oral cavity. In particular, the formation of the initial oral protein film on the tooth surface (pellicle) is crucial for the physiological and pathophysiological processes involved in caries initiation. Pellicle formation and modulation have been extensively studied in adults, but not in children. The aim of my habilitation thesis is to investigate the initial oral bioadhesion processes in children in relation to their oral health status (caries-active/caries-free) in situ. Specific characteristics regarding the composition (proteome) and metabolism (metabolome) of the children's pellicles will be determined. In addition, the initial microbial colonization of enamel will be compared between children with different caries activity and potential pellicle biomarkers with an influence on caries susceptibility in children will be identified.
Dr. med. Undine Proschmann
Project title: Neuroimmunological biomarker monitoring in multiple sclerosis with a special focus on female multiple sclerosis
Struktureinheit: Department of Neurology
Project descriptionMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a common, chronic inflammatory condition of the central nervous system characterized by focal demyelination and axonal degeneration. Depending on the localization of the lesions, different neurological symptoms can occur in the autoimmun-mediated disease. Women develop MS more often in a female-to-male ratio of 3:1. In addition to special situations of female MS such as pregnancy, gender-specific differences and their clinical relevance receive increasing attention. In order to make personalized treatment decisions, biomarkers are needed that enable individual, gender-specific phenotyping and assessment of the prognosis as well as the monitoring of therapy response and related side effects. The aim of my habilitation is to evaluate cellular and molecular biomarkers for the use in personalized, gender-specific treatment approaches. One main focus is the characterization of immunological changes in women with MS in special situations and the detection of gender-specific differences.
Dr. med. Katja Sockel
Project title: New risk-adapted therapy strategies for myelodysplastic neoplasms and acute myeloid leukemias
Struktureinheit: Department of internal Medicine I
Project description
Myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS) are among the most common hematologic neoplasms in the elderly. Patients are primarily at risk due to ineffective hematopoiesis and its complications (anemia, infections in neutropenia or bleeding in thrombocytopenia), as well as an increased risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The treatment options currently available are limited and generally symptomatic. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is the only potentially curative treatment option, but relapse rates of around 30-50% are still a major challenge. Effective, disease-modulating and well-tolerated treatment concepts are urgently needed. In recent years, a deeper pathogenetic understanding has opened up various new therapeutic options. Especially in the early stages, pathological inflammation in the bone marrow microenvironment plays a relevant role in the development and progression of the malignant clone. The aim of my habilitation project is to optimize therapeutic strategies in MDS and AML patients, taking into account the current risk-adapted stage of the disease. In the early stages of MDS, concepts for the inhibition of the pathological inflammatory reaction in the bone marrow niche will be investigated translationally, while in advanced stages of MDS and AML, the focus will be on stem cell transplantation and its optimization.
Funded projects in 2023
Dr. med. Janine Gellrich
Project title: Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in pediatric olfactology on a model of oflactory sense in the neonatal period.
Structural unit: Department of Paediatrics
Project description
The olfactory sense is already fully functional at birth and from then on plays a supporting role in bonding, feeding and orientation. The examination of the olfactory sense in childhood and adolescence is challenging and diagnostic methods should be adapted according to age. Furthermore, olfactory training has also gained importance as a therapeutic option in children, especially newborns and premature infants. The aim of my habilitation thesis is to present the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of olfactology in children and adolescents and to show first approaches for translation. The focus of the investigations is on the neonatal period. Methods independent of compliance, such as Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS), the EEG and the therapeutic potential of the olfactory system using the example for nasogastric tube weaning in premature infants should form the basis.
Funded projects in 2022
Dr. rer. medic. Anja Braune
Project title: Influence of radioisotope on PET imaging and application of PET/CT imaging for quantification of lung inflammation and perfusion in animal studies.
Structural unit: Department of Nuclear Medicine
Project description
Nuclear medicine imaging enables the non-invasive assessment of metabolic processes and organ functions. For this purpose, the patient is injected with a pharmacon that is labeled with a radioactive substance. By detecting the ionizing radiation emitted by the radiopharmaceutical, its distribution, specific accumulation (e.g. at a receptor or an enzyme), metabolism and/or excretion can be detected. This is used, for example, in oncology, where early detection of small tumors can be decisive for the prognosis and type of therapy.
The further development of technology enables imaging with higher resolution and image quality and thus makes a decisive contribution to improved diagnostics of small tumors. In this work, imaging with a positron emission tomography (PET) device of the latest generation will be addressed. The used PET scanner is characterized by highly sensitive, digital measurement technology, time-of-flight measurement capabilities and new reconstruction algorithms. The sensitive technology makes it possible for the first time to analyze the influence of specific physical properties of the radiopharmaceutical on image quality and spatial resolution. If, for example, it turns out that spatial resolution and thus the detectability of smallest lesions differ between image data acquired with most commonly used PET nuclides 18F and 68Ga due to varying physical properties, an intraindividual in vivo study in patients should be performed to determine whether the use of new radiopharmaceuticals, such as [18F]-F-PSMA-1007 compared to the standard radiopharmaceutical for the detection of recurrent prostate cancer: [68Ga]-Ga-PSMA-11, may improve diagnostics.
In the second part of this work, PET/CT imaging will be used for the quantification of pulmonary inflammation in animal studies of acute lung injury. In this context, pathophysiological processes in acute lung injury and the influence of different ventilatory settings on the extent and regional distribution of ventilation-induced lung injury will be analyzed. The aim of this studies is to reduce ventilator-induced lung injury by optimizing ventilation in terms of a more protective mechanical ventilation.
The diverse applicability of PET imaging, which ranges from basic research to clinical routine, highlights the importance and potential of this imaging modality and the high demand for further research in this field.
Dr. rer. nat. Anja Hofmann, PhD
Project title: Oxidative stress in vascular diseases.
Structural unit: Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery
Project description
Up to 20 % of all ischemic strokes are caused by carotid artery stenosis (CAS) and develops from atherosclerotic lesions. Plaque rupture may result in occlusion of cerebral arteries causing neurological symptoms or strokes. Accordingly, asymptomatic CAS may become symptomatic, indicating an urgent need for better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms and eventually prevent symptomatic CAS. The NADPH oxidase family (NOX) are the main sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the vasculature. The hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-producing isoform NOX4 has shown anti-atherosclerotic and anti-inflammatory properties in animal models of early atherosclerosis. Our previous studies demonstrated that plaque NOX4 mRNA expression is lower in patients with symptomatic CAS. A low intra-plaque NOX4 mRNA expression is associated with an increased risk for symptomatic outcome and with reduced plaque stabilizing mechanisms suggesting protective effects of NOX4 in human advanced atherosclerosis. Herein, we are aiming to determine the effects of NOX4 and H2O2 on the phenotype and function of vascular smooth muscle cells obtained from human atherosclerotic plaques.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a common vascular disease and is defined as a permanent and irreversible dilation of the abdominal aorta. AAA rupture is a severely life threating condition and the risk increases with AAA diameter. AAA are characterized by a loss and change of phenotype of medial smooth muscle cells, elastin degradation, inflammation and oxidative stress. Most AAA are covered by an intraluminal thrombus (ILT) that is a highly bioactive compartment. Our preliminary studies in aortic walls from patients with AAA revealed an inverse association between NOX4 and elastin degradation as well as the thickness of the ILT. We are aiming to analyze effects of NOX4 and the ILT on the phenotype, proliferation and function of vascular smooth muscle cells in AAA.
Both contribute to a better understanding of vascular diseases and to eventually characterize novel treatment options for patients in advanced stages of disease.
Dr. rer. nat. Helena Jambor
Project title: Visualization of biomedical and oncology data
Structural unit: Department of internal Medicine I / NCT-UCC
Project description
Visualizations are used to evaluate, explain and communicate data. In the project 'Visualization of biomedical and oncological data' visual strategies are developed to effectively evaluate multimodal and multidimensional data sets of modern medical research and didactic concepts are established to enable scientists to use them in practice. Here, both image data and 'OMICS' datasets are considered.
Furthermore, we investigate how visual aids can be used in doctor-patient communication in oncology. Here we use visual therapy plans to visually summarize lengthy and complex cancer treatments for patients and evaluate their readability and usefulness for both patient and physician in practice.
Funded projects 2021/2022
Dr. med.dent. Katarzyna Kresse-Walczak
Project title: "Chitosan - development and testing of applications for the prevention and treatment of Denture Stomatitis and Improvement of Denture Hygiene from the Perspective of Geriatric Dentistry."
Structural unit: Department of Prosthodontics
Project description
Currently, society is aging and the number of elderly as well as home and institutionalized care patients is increasing. In particular, these suffer from higher tooth loss, wear removable dentures, and have problems with independent oral and denture hygiene (Fifth German Oral Health Study). Oral biofilm is formed on the intraoral surfaces and colonized by microorganisms. Inadequate removal of oral biofilm can lead to diseases such as dental decay, periodontitis, or denture stomatitis. The correlation between oral biofilm, oral diseases, and general health is evident. Therefore, the reduction of biofilm formation and sufficient removal of biofilm from teeth or dentures is essential for maintaining oral and general health. Chitosan is a biocompatible, biodegradable and non-toxic biopolymer. Chitosan shows antimicrobial, anti-adherent, and antibiofilm properties. The development and testing of chitosan-based applications for the prevention and treatment of denture stomatitis and the improvement of denture hygiene is the focus of current research projects with the following main topics: 1) Coating and modification of denture materials with chitosan to reduce the biofilm formation and its pathogenicity and thus prevention and treatment of denture stomatitis. 2) Development of a chitosan- and methylcellulose-based biofilm model to simulate the mechanical properties of the biofilm on dentures. In conclusion, chitosan has a great potential to develop and establish applications in dentistry, especially concerning the aging society.
Dr. med. Nicole Töpfner
Project title: "Bidirektionale Interaktion zwischen Wirt und Erreger im Rahmen von Infektion und Inflammation."
Structural unit: Department of Paediatrics
Project descrpition
Infektionen zählen zu den häufigsten Krankheitsbildern im Kindes- und Jugendalter. Das Spektrum der Wirt-Erreger-Interaktion ist dabei sehr facettenreich. Zum einen tragen molekulare Unterschiede bakterieller Virulenzfaktoren, zum anderen interindividuell sehr unterschiedliche Immunreaktionen zum breiten Spektrum der Infektionsverläufe bei. Im Rahmen des Habilitationsvorhabens erfolgte daher zum einen die molekulare Erregertypisierung großer Kohorten sowohl invasiver, als auch nicht-invasiver Bakterien-Isolate von Kindern und Erwachsenen, zum anderen wurde die zelluläre Immunantwort auf bakterielle Stimuli und endogene Entzündungsmediatoren charakterisiert. Dazu wurde durch Nutzung des mikrofluidischen Hochdurchsatz-Verfahrens, Real-time Deformability Cytometry, eine innovative, markerfreie, morpho-mechanische Blutzellanalyse entwickelt, mittels derer derzeit Blutzellveränderungen zur Charakterisierung der Entzündungsreaktion bei verschiedenen Infektionskrankheiten untersucht werden. Ziel ist die Etablierung eines neuen funktionellen, morpho-mechanischen Blutzellparameters als Entzündungswert mit hohem prädiktivem Wert.
Homepage: www.nicole-toepfner.de
Dr. med. Victoria Tüngler, M.Sc.
Project title: "Molekulare Grundlagen für neue Diagnostik- und Therapieansätze von seltenen entzündlichen Erkrankungen des ZNS im Kindesalter."
Structural unit: Department of Paediatrics, Neuropediatrics
Project description
Entzündliche Erkrankungen des zentralen Nervensystems (ZNS) im Kindesalter beschreiben seltene Erkrankungen mit einem breiten pathophysiologischen Spektrum. Komponenten des ZNS sind Ziele einer Dysregulation des Immunsystems und führen zu Entzündung, Demyelinisierung und Neurodegeneration.
Ziel meiner Habilitation ist es, mittels klinischer, experimenteller und hochleistungsrechnergestützter Methoden zum Verständnis der Pathophysiologie zugrundeliegenden molekularen Mechanismen und Entwicklung neuer diagnostischer sowie therapeutischer Ansätze beizutragen.
Dr. med. dent. Marie-Theres Weber
Project title: "Systematic development of new concepts for the decontamination of the endodont."
Structural unit: Department of Dental Maintenance with Pediatric Dentistry Section
Project description
Every year, around 7 million root canal treatments are performed in Germany alone. However, despite the best chemo-mechanical preparation methods, endodontic restorations can fail and lead to expensive root canal revisions or even to the extraction of the teeth concerned 1. One reason for this are residual bacteria that remain in untreated root canal sections of the complex as well as ramifispeziell root canal system and lead to persistent infections2. The particular histology of dentin, especially the dentinal tubules, favors the infiltration of bacteria. Disinfecting agents (sodium hypochlorite, chlorhexidine) are therefore used to remove the bacterial biofilm in areas of the root canal system that are not reached by mechanical preparation3,4. The additional use of sonic-/ ultrasonic systems has been established to enhance the cleansing effect of these irrigants3 and to enable a complete removal of the bacterial biofilm5. The aim of my habilitation topic is the synthesis of a novel ultrasonic needle with high vibration amplitudes for a considerably improved cleansing effect, with low relative forces for a dentin-protecting application and an optimized failure behavior. For this purpose, the engineering-medical approach required the creation of representative virtual geometry models of human root canals in order to test the stress capabilities of potential fiber-reinforced composites or high-performance resins. Furthermore, standardized dentin root canal models were used to investigate dentin damage as well as dentinal damage. A further objective was the development of methods for the standardized quantification of bacterial contamination and the establishment of a cleansing measure for the evaluation of existing and novel ultrasonic needles as well as the effectiveness of disinfecting agents. Funded by the DFG, WE 5838/1-2, DA 1701/ 1-2.