Immunology
Team PTA
Protective Tissue Factors in Autoimmune Diseases
The main objective of the group is to understand the molecular mechanisms that promote pro-resolution responses in immune and stromal cells to restore homeostasis. In particular, the team will use the human synovium as a model system to characterize the pro-resolving phenotypes of macrophages in rheumatoid arthritis. The core of the project will be the development of a first in kind synovium-in-a-dish assay for systematic monitoring of macrophage functions. Our final goal is to identify new therapeutic targets, which promote pro-resolution in inflammation and autoimmune diseases, and thereby proposing novel concepts to improve patient outcomes.
Mentors
- Dr. Jackie Perrigoue
Head of Tissue Mechanisms, Janssen Immunosciences, Spring House, USA (Industry mentor) - Dr. Agnès Gardet
Principal Scientist at The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson San Diego County, USA (Industry mentor) - Prof. Dr. Greorg Schett
Vice President Research and Chair Internal Medicine at Medicine Faculty at Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU), Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany, and Director clinical medicine 3 – Rheumatologie und Immunologie, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany (Academic mentor)
Publications
- Edalat SG, Gerber R, Houtman M, Lückgen J, Teixeira RL, Palacios Cisneros MDP, Pfanner T, Kuret T, Ižanc N, Micheroli R, Polido-Pereira J, Saraiva F, Lingam S, Burki K, Burja B, Pauli C, Rotar Ž, Tomšič M, Čučnik S, Fonseca JE, Distler O, Calado Â, Romão VC, Ospelt C, Sodin-Semrl S, Robinson MD, Frank Bertoncelj M. Molecular maps of synovial cells in inflammatory arthritis using an optimized synovial tissue dissociation protocol. iScience. 2024 Apr 10;27(6):109707. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109707. PMID: 38832018; PMCID: PMC11144743. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.109707
Team Location BioMed X Institute Heidelberg
Our Team Members
PD Dr. Mojca Frank Bertoncelj
Group Leader
Short Bio
- 2022 – 2025
Lecturer, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- 2022
Privatdozentin (PD), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- 2018 – 2021
Junior Research Group Leader/Principal Investigator, University Hospital Zurich/University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- 2012 – 2017
Postdoctoral Researcher, University Hospital Zurich/University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland (Lab heads Prof. Dr. Steffen Gay & Prof. Dr. Oliver Distler)
- 2011 – 2012
Articulum Research Fellow with Prof. Dr. Steffen Gay, University Hospital Zurich & University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- 2010
PhD in Biomedicine, Summa cum laude. University of Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- 2006 – 2010
Young Investigator, PhD Student with Prof. Dr. Blaz Rozman, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 2005
Doctor of Medicine, graduated valedictorian. Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Dr. Janine LĂĽckgen
Senior Postdoctoral Researcher
Short Bio
- 2017 – 2022: PhD researcher at the Research Centre for Experimental Orthopaedics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany
- 2013 – 2016: Master of Science with Distinction in Molecular and Applied Biotechnology at RWTH Aachen University, Germany
- 2010 – 2013: Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology at RWTH Aachen University, Germany
Tamara Pfanner
PhD Student
Short Bio
- 2022 – present: PhD at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität MĂĽnchen
- 2019 – 2020: Master of Science with Distinction in Biomedical Science from
Edinburgh Napier University - 2018 – 2019: Biology Studies at the University of Cologne
- 2015 – 2018: Bachelor’s degree from the German Sport University of Cologne
Tomasz Stadler
PhD Student
Dr. Larisa JanĹľiÄŤ
Erasmus Visiting Scientist
Short Bio
- 2024 – present: Postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 2019 – 2024: Young researcher, PhD student at the Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 2016 – 2019: Master of Science with Distinction in Molecular and Functional Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 2013 – 2016: Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Team PTA Alumni
At BioMed X we care for the people who work with us. Staying in touch with those who left but mainly contributed to BioMed X’s success is key. That’s why they have their designated place on our website. So let’s keep connected!