Faces of SaxoCell

What is your current professional position and where is it located?
I am currently doing my Postdoc in University Leipzig at the Department of Dermatology (for the SaxoCell project: ZellTWund)
 
What is the focus of your current research and what aspects are you interested in?
The focus of the project is the characterization of fibroblast across body locations, in order to identify pro-regenerative populations. The long-term goal is to use these cells in wound dressing to treat patients with chronic, non-healing or diabetic wounds.
 
Please finish the following sentence: SaxoCell is …
SaxoCell is the bridge between science and medicine, looking into future treatments that will improve the lives of many. For me, SaxoCell is you, me, and everyone who wants to make a difference on this planet!

Outside of academics, what are some of your hobbies or interests?
Dancing, cooking, baking sourdough bread and definitely travelling! I do not know if it is a hobby, but I am very much into Latte art, lately (see picture below).
 
If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
Probably I would love to have all the knowledge and be able to run on my own single cells analysis :D that would be great!

If you could have a conversation with a famous person (from past or present), who would it be and what would you ask them?
I would like to talk to Prof. Rita Levi Montalcini – a great woman in science. She won the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology and she achieved so much during her life even if she was born in a time where women were not supposed to study! I would love to ask her how did she get so far. How to become a great scientist and how to succeed in science. And many more questions…
 
What is one technology or innovation that you could not live without?
Definitely Google maps, to not get lost!
 
Where would you travel to if there was a time machine?
I would go to my past self and tell her that all my dreams have so far come true and so not to worry too much, to believe in myself and to work hard!
 
What if your lab had its own barista? Which coffee creation would you order regularly?
I would be the happiest person ever. I love to drink good coffee! I often go for a good Italian-style Cappuccino, but I would like to create a Doppio Expresso Cacao Latte :D
 
Which song is currently at the top of your music playlist?
Oh, there is so much music I’m listening to at the moment, but I would say “Season” from Amistat, because it reminds me that after difficult moments, better will come and to hold on to it.

[© Marta Torregrossa; Latte Art]

 

News from our website

• Funding opportunities
• Lunch Meeting Canopy BioSciences (PDF)

[© SaxoCell; Join our members area!]

 

Save the date - SaxoCell trainings and events

» for more events, please check out our calendar in our website's members area

 

Funding opportunities!

Handelsblatt & TK Health-i Award ► Funding for start-ups in the health sector ► Making healthcare for patients simpler, more efficient and more progressive ► Highlighting prospects for the (digital) future of healthcare ► Deadline: 3 May 2024

» MORE INFORMATION

BMBF START-interaktiv ► Funding of teams at universities and reaserch institutions (module 1) or ► Funding of young start-ups (module 2) ► Deadline: 15 July 2024

» more information

Deutsche Krebshilfe DKH Mildred Scheel PhD Programme in Cancer Research ► DKH Mildred Scheel PhD Programme for medical students (module 1) and for qualified doctors (module 2) ► Deadline: 11 September 2024

» MORE INFORMATION

 

News from science

 

News from industry (selection)

2024 biotech deals tracker: the latest partnerships and M&A activities
Highlighting the most significant news organized by leading pharmaceutical companies and categorized by month.

FDA Approves First CAR-T Therapy for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (Mar 21, 2024)
The therapy Breyanzi has been approaved by the FDA as the first CAR-T therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) in patients who have relapsed or are refractory to prior treatments.

T follicular helper cells research makes new immune system discoveries (March 4, 2024)
Scientists from the University Hospital Bonn and the Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation2 at the University of Bonn explored the mechanisms of Tfh cell development in a mouse model, revealing their internal networking. They anticipate that these findings will inspire novel approaches for creating potent vaccines and therapies against diverse diseases. The research outcomes have been published in Science Immunology.

‘Gratifying’ results show ‘incredible step forward’ for off-the-shelf T-cell therapies (March 4, 2024)
The initial findings from a phase 3 trial of allogeneic T-cell therapy reveal a response rate of over 50% in patients with relapsed or refractory Epstein-Barr virus-positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. The results were published in The Lancet Oncology.

Enzyme checkpoint identified in tumor-associated macrophages (Feb 27, 2024)
A recent study conducted by scientists from the University of Vienna and the MedUni Vienna, published in Cellular & Molecular Immunology, reveals that the enzyme phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) plays a crucial role as a metabolic regulator in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), influencing tumor development.

Tumor Microenvironment Impacts Efficacy of CAR-T Therapy in LBCL (Feb 16, 2024)
The ZUMA-7 trial found that the environment around the tumor affects how well axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) and standard treatments work for a type of lymphoma called large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL). The study was published in Nature Medicine.

Unanswered questions following reports of secondary malignancies after CAR-T cell therapy (Jan 9, 2024)
The FDA has announced cases of T cell malignancies, including lymphomas, in patients treated with CAR-T cell therapy. Although the overall risk appears low compared to other cancer treatments, investigations are ongoing. The FDA emphasizes that the benefits of these therapies still outweigh potential risks. Long-term safety studies are required for patients receiving CAR-T treatment, and continuous monitoring is recommended.

CRISPR’s Unintended Cuts: Alarming Findings in Cancer Gene Therapy (Jan 8, 2024)
A new study reveals that CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing can cause cancer cells to unintentionally remove crucial genes, impacting cancer research and treatment strategies. This elimination of genes occurs under stress conditions, such as during CRISPR treatment, and affects gene regulation, DNA replication, and cell cycle control. The findings highlight the importance of correctly interpreting gene editing results and have implications for cancer research and treatment. The study serves as a warning signal, prompting cautious advancement in gene editing techniques to minimize unintended consequences.

[© SaxoCell; Industry News]

 

Latest SaxoCell publications (selection)

» A complete list of latest SaxoCell publications can be accessed here.

Please keep us informed on publications from your labs!

» E-mail us!

 

Service description

Introducing the Advanced Analytics Technology Platform at Fraunhofer IZI

The Advanced Analytics technology platform at the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI in Leipzig represents a unique compilation of expertise and techniques in the fields of chromatography and mass spectrometry, flow cytometry and FACS, advanced microscopy methods and slide scanning services, next generation sequencing as well as bioinformatics and machine learning, which provides holistic analytical solutions based on close co-operation between integrated research groups.

Using the latest technologies and specialist expertise, the platform enables comprehensive analyses from a single provider and supports in the design and execution of experiments, the selection and use of suitable equipment, and multi-modal data evaluation. Assays can be developed under BSL-2 and BSL-3 conditions on a small scale or proof-of-concept studies can be performed according to customer-specific requirements.

The technology platform is available to clinical and university research partners as well as industrial customers. We are looking forward to discussing your ideas and are open in terms of contract research, joint research projects and collaborations.

For further information, see links below.

[© Christin Möser; IZI Advanced Analystics Technology Platform]

 

Past SaxoCell events

SaxoCell meets Politics - Parliamentary Evening in Berlin

[© SaxoCell; SaxoCell meets Politics in der Landesvertretung Berlin]

Special thanks go to State Minister Oliver Schenk for his inspiring presentation on Saxony’s innovative strength and to the extremely interested investors. Many thanks also go to our spin-off teams for their outstanding presentations, which contributed to an extremely informative and exciting afternoon.

Annual Meeting of the German Society for Gene Therapy (DG-GT)

SaxoCell member Frank Buchholz and researchers from his lab attended this year’s DG-GT Annual Meeting titled “Nucleic Acid Therapeutics: Genetic Indications and Beyond” in Munich, March 6-8. During the session on “Novel Concepts in Genome Engineering”, Frank Buchholz shared insights into the latest advancements in designer recombinases, highlighting the potential of next-generation tools in this field.

PhD student Jenna Hoersten presented a poster focusing on the critical aspects of off-target analysis and mitigation strategies to enhance the efficiency of recombinases. Additionally, Postdoc Duran Sürün unveiled his research through a poster on CRISPR-Associated Substrate-Linked Directed Evolution (CaSLiDE), a novel approach aimed at developing highly efficient and specific miniature CRISPR-Cas systems.

In two SaxoCell sessions, our PIs Martin Bornhäuser and Uwe Platzbecker as well as Ulrike Köhl and Anja Feldmann chaired, in addition to their own, the presentations by Michael Hudecek, Mathias Hänel, Manavi Jain, Dominik Schmiedel, Kristin Reiche and Torsten Tonn on current topics in immunotherapy and precision medicine from our cluster and discussed them together with the audience. Many thanks to our speakers and chairs!

Our interactions weren't limited to the sessions; we had the opportunity to connect with numerous conference attendees from diverse backgrounds in medicine, research, and industry, both within the sessions and at our SaxoCell booth.

SPIN2030 – Wissenschaftsfestival Dresden

SPIN2030 Wissenschaftsfestival at Technische Sammlungen Dresden over the first weekend in March vividly showcased the scientific landscape in Saxony. SaxoCell was there, too, offering hands-on experiences with DNA origami, CAR-T cell fishing game, and an immunocyte quiz to make our work and cell and gene therapies more understandable. There was great interest, and we had wonderful exchanges with people from various backgrounds.

Additionally, Dorit Teichmann from our SaxoCell Hub team delivered a compelling contribution during the YOU ASK WE EXPLAIN Podcast, titled "From Innovations and Inspirations: Research in the Interplay of Science and Society." In the live podcast, she engaged in conversation with Saxony's Minister of Science, Sebastian Gemko, and Dr. Tim Hentschel, the Director of the Barkhausen Institute, effectively highlighting the importance of transferring science to the economy to a broad audience. Marit Scheuringer and Florian Salomon from the CRTD skillfully moderated the discussion. Many thanks to all participants for this inspiring and motivating festival!

[© SaxoCell; SPIN2030]

 

Upcoming events with SaxoCell participation

 

Scientists wanted!

We are looking for German speaking scientists for 45-min lectures at Berufliches Schulzentrum Meißen Radebeul.

On June 6 and 13, you will be speaking to apprentices and trainees from the fields of biology, chemistry and physics as well as economy and administration - informing them about possible applications of their qualification and maybe encouraging them to study at a polytechnic.

 

Contact us