Funded scientists 2026/2027
Table of contents
Dr. Patrick Diaba-Nuhoho
Project title: Secretome and vesicle profiling for the identification of plasma biomarkers to guide targeted therapy after myocardial infarction
Structural unit: Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology
Project description
Myocardial infarction remains a major global health challenge, driving the need for innovative and personalized treatment approaches. Advances in targeted therapies have to rely on precise patient stratification based on molecular and clinical profiles to optimize therapeutic outcomes. Current clinical diagnostic tools detect myocardial injury but are limited in their ability to guide individualized treatments and predict patient prognosis. Additionally, invasive tissue sampling to evaluate therapeutic targets is not feasible for routine clinical use, creating a demand for minimally invasive biomarkers obtainable from blood samples. Emerging liquid biopsy techniques, utilizing plasma proteins and extracellular vesicles, show promise in reflecting underlying pathological processes and the activity of therapeutic targets. Preliminary secretome profiling studies have identified potential molecular candidates linked to cardiac remodeling and inflammation after infarction. This project seeks to identify and validate key biomarkers that could facilitate the development of new therapies and support personalized patient care after myocardial infarction.
Link to website: https://tu-dresden.de/med/mf/pt/forschung/prof-el-armouche/ag-klapproth?set_language=en
Dr. med. Jan Emmerich, M.Sc.
Project title: Decoding ischemic stroke: miRNAs for distinguishing stroke mimics
Structural unit: Department of Neurology
Project description
Stroke remains one of the leading causes of mortality and long-term disability worldwide. Timely and accurate diagnosis is of critical importance to mitigate the consequences of untreated cerebral ischemia, as studies have demonstrated that, in the absence of adequate therapeutic intervention, up to 1.9 million neurons may be irreversibly lost per minute.
In the emergency department, up to 40% of patients presenting with suspected stroke are diagnosed with so-called stroke mimics, encompassing neurological or systemic conditions that clinically resemble acute stroke but require fundamentally different diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. This diagnostic uncertainty represents a substantial challenge in acute care.
Although magnetic resonance imaging continues to be regarded as the diagnostic gold standard, its limited availability and considerable time requirements restrict its use, particularly in emergency settings and resource-limited healthcare environments. In this time-critical context, blood-based biomarkers may offer a promising strategy to support early clinical decision-making. However, protein-based biomarkers have thus far demonstrated limited clinical utility due to delayed release kinetics and insufficient specificity. In contrast, RNA-based biomarkers, particularly microRNAs, may enable highly sensitive detection and provide a dynamic representation of underlying pathophysiological processes.
Dr. rer. nat. George Garside
Project title: Understanding How Histone Expression Shapes Chromatin Structure and Ageing
Structural unit: Institute of Physiological Chemistry
Project description
The human genome, if stretched out, would span over two meters in every cell, yet it fits neatly within the microscopic space of the nucleus. This remarkable packaging is achieved by wrapping DNA around specialized proteins (histones) that organize and compact the genome, keeping it stable and regulating which genes are active.
As organisms age, the structure and organization of chromatin - the complex of DNA and associated proteins - change in ways that can affect genome stability and gene expression. Such alterations have been linked to a gradual decline in cellular function and lifespan across a range of species. Studies suggest that maintaining proper chromatin organization is crucial for preserving genome integrity and delaying the effects of ageing.
This project aims to explore how changes in chromatin composition and organization influence the ageing process in mammalian cells. By examining how chromatin structure shifts over the course of cellular lifespan, the study seeks to identify mechanisms that either preserve or disrupt genome stability.
Ultimately, the research will contribute to a better understanding of how maintaining balanced chromatin structure supports healthy cellular ageing, with the potential to inform future strategies for promoting genome maintenance and longevity.
Link to website: https://tu-dresden.de/med/mf/pch/das-institut/arbeitsgruppen/felix-mueller-planitz
Dr. med. Annina Meerz
Project title: „"Characterization of Tumor-Infiltrating Immune Cells and Tumor-Associated Antigens for the Identification of Biomarkers and novel Therapeutic Targets"
Structural unit: Department of internal Medicine 1 / Institute for Immunology
Project description
Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains an oncological challenge despite major therapeutic advances. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have improved survival for many patients, but resistance mechanisms limit long-term treatment success. We hypothesize that the composition and functional orientation of the tumor microenvironment play a decisive role in determining the response to immunotherapy. In this project, we analyze treatment-naïve NSCLC biopsies using multiplex immunohistochemistry to characterize tumor-infiltrating immune cells and tumor-associated antigens (TAA) in detail. Specifically, we aim to phenotype T cells, macrophages, as well as dendritic and myeloid suppressor cells, and to associate these findings with the expression patterns of clinically relevant TAA such as HER2, DLL3, cMET, PRAME, and TROP2. Through spatial analysis of these cell populations, we seek to elucidate immunological interaction patterns within the tumor tissue and correlate them with clinical outcomes.
This project aims to identify novel prognostic and predictive biomarkers that enable more precise patient stratification. In the long term, we hope to contribute to the development of personalized immunotherapies for NSCLC.
Link to website: https://www.nct-dresden.de/en/research/departments-and-groups/thoracic-oncology-group
Dr. rer. medic. Juliane Müller
Project title: Experimental Evaluation of FAPi-Based Radioguided Surgery for Intraoperative Detection of Challenging Tumor Manifestations in Gastrointestinal and Thoracic Tumors
Structural unit: Department of Nuclear Medicine
Project description
Gastrointestinal and thoracic tumors represent a major surgical challenge, particularly in the metastatic or recurrent setting, as small tumor manifestations such as peritoneal or pleural tumor deposits and locoregional lymph node metastases are often difficult to identify intraoperatively. Incomplete resections are associated with an increased risk of early recurrence, highlighting the clinical relevance of optimized intraoperative navigation.
FAP–targeted radiotracers based on fibroblast activation protein inhibitors (FAPi) have emerged as an innovative molecular targeting approach in preoperative imaging and are characterized by high tumor-to-background contrast. Radioguided surgery (RGS) enables the intraoperative application of these properties using gamma probes for the targeted detection and resection of poorly visible tumor manifestations.
The aim of this project is the experimental evaluation of FAP-targeted radiotracers for intraoperative navigation in gastrointestinal and thoracic tumors to enable clinical translation. Preclinical experiments employing application-oriented phantom models and FAP-expressing cell lines will be conducted to select suitable tracers and radionuclides and to assess biochemical and physical properties as well as technical feasibility using clinically available gamma probes.
In the long term, the method is intended to be evaluated in a clinical pilot study in individuals with peritoneal carcinomatosis, pleural mesothelioma, or poorly localizable gastrointestinal tumors.
Dr. med. Anna Pretzsch
Project title: Analysis of changes in collagen structure after corneal cross-linking using two-photon microscopy and their dependence on oxygen availability
Structural unit: Department of Ophthalmology
Project description
Keratoconus is a corneal disease that causes thinning and steepening of the corneal tissue that leads to loss of visual acuity. It mainly affects younger people and leads to a reduction in their quality of life and ability to work. In cases of progressive keratoconus, crosslinking (CXL) is used to prevent further progression: After removing the corneal epithelium, riboflavin eye drops are applied as a photosensitizer. The cornea is then irradiated with UV light, which causes the development of reactive oxygen species. These lead to new covalent bonds between the existing collagen fibers of the corneal stroma. The positive effect of CXL on the stabilization of corneal mechanics and visual acuity has so far been demonstrated indirectly using clinical and laboratory chemical methods.
This project aims to investigate the influence of oxygen saturation in combination with UV intensity on the effect of CXL in an animal model. For that purpose, CXL is performed ex vivo on pig eyes under various conditions (different oxygen concentrations and UV intensities). All eyes will then be measured using two-photon microscopy (2PM) in combination with second harmonic generation microscopy (SHG) to determine the effect of the treatment on the collagen structures of the corneal stroma. For this research project, these measurement methods, which are not yet available in clinical practice, are being applied in an experimental setting.
The aim is to determine whether changing the availability of oxygen, possibly in combination with a change in UV intensity, can further optimize the therapeutic results after CXL.
Dr. rer. medic. Franziska Maria Schwarz
Project title: Functional investigation of PARP inhibitor resistance in ovarian cancer
Structural unit: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Project description
Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among gynecological malignancies. As the disease is mainly symptom-free at early stages, 75% of patients are diagnosed at late stages. The standard therapy of progressed ovarian cancer consists of surgery and chemotherapy as well as maintenance therapy with antiangiogenic bevacizumab. Additional, poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase inhibitors (PARPis) are part of the standard therapy. Despite these innovative therapies including PARPis, the majority of patients with recurrent disease acquire PARPi-resistance which results in poor prognosis. Therefore, it is of great clinical interest to uncover the genetic causes auf PARPi-resistance to support the development of new targeted therapies for ovarian cancer patients.
In our preliminary studies, we generated isogenic cell line models to systemically investigate the mechanisms of acquired PARPi-resistance under chronic Olaparib exposure in BRCA1-proficient and BRCA1-deficient ovarian cancer cell lines. Based on this, we performed a CRISPR-Cas9 based knockout screen upon Olaparib selection pressure and identified several robust candidate genes whose loss was associated with an altered drug sensitivity. These genes represent potential molecular switches for the development of resistance and open up new therapeutic targets.
As part of this project, these target structures are now being functionally validated and pharmacologically addressed in order to develop innovative intervention strategies against PARPi-resistance of ovarian cancer.