One of the major challenges in understanding the complex immune system is the question when and why this defense system attacks endogenous proteins (i.e. self-proteins). In the frame of an ERC Starting Grant (PredicTOOL), we focus our research on antibody-mediated immune reactions to endogenous proteins. By high sensitivity nanotechnological tools based on spectroscopic and imaging techniques (e.g. Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy, Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy, Isothermal Titration Calorimetry, Fluorescence Microscopy), we characterize the interaction of autoantibodies with their antigens and further interaction with cells of the immune system.
In the frame of a DZHK project, we investigate using 3D engineered surfaces with various properties (e.g. size, shape, elasticity) the mechanobiology of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CM) under physiological and pharmacological conditions. The primary goal is to understand the mechanisms through which the complex physico-chemical interactions between cardiomyocytes and their environment are translated into biochemical and cellular responses.The results will serve to understand the basic functionality of cardiac cells and will allow fabricating in vitro myocardial tissue constructs.
The BMBF funded project aims to predict & control using in vitro tools the immunogenicity of biomaterials (nanoparticles) by adjusting the physical properties (e.g. size, geometry, surface charge), the structural composition (e.g. polymeric, metallic, hybrid) and the targeting ligands (e.g. antibodies, proteins, nucleic acids, sugars).