The major focus of research in the laboratory is the regulation of T cell responses in a context- and tissue-specific manner. Here, we particularly focus on the functional and molecular characterization of CD4+FOXP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cell and CD4+ T Helper (TH) cell differentiation and function and on non-classical ways of communication between non-hematopoietic cells and cells of myeloid and lymphoid origin. We are aiming to elucidate the role of transcription factors and transcription factor complexes in the differentiation and tissue-specific function of Treg and TH cell subsets in cancer, allergy, autoimmune disease and ageing, the role of cyclic AMP-mediated signaling in the regulation of auto-reactive T cell responses, and the role of the kinase CK2 in regulating tissue- and context-specific responses of TH cells and Treg cells. Together with the Core Facility Next-generation-sequencing (CF NGS) of the Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), we have established standardized workflows for library preparation for mRNA, ATAC and CHIP sequencing on single-cell level and subsequent data analysis. Currently, spatial transcriptomics allowing to analyze tissue-specific gene expression patterns is being established at the CF NGS. In the context of the FZI, we are interdisciplinary involved in research projects and translational projects with other research laboratories and collaboration partners in the clinic.

Positions held 

Since 2021  
Group leader in the Centre of Healthy Ageing, Mainz, Germany

Since 2019  
Full Professor (W3) and Chair, Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center (UMC), Johannes Gutenberg-University (JGU) Mainz, Germany

2012- 2019  
Associate Professor (W2) for Molecular immunology, UMC, JGU Mainz, Germany

2008-2012  
Head of scientific working group, Institute of Immunology, UMC, JGU Mainz, Germany

2006-2008  
Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute of Immunology, UMC, JGU Mainz, Germany

Education

2003-2006 
Doctoral thesis, Department of Immunology, UMC, JGU Mainz, Germany

1997-2003 
Studies of biology (Diploma), JGU Mainz, Germany