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)
Team Location BioMed X Institute Heidelberg
Our Team Members
PD Dr. Mojca Frank Bertoncelj
Group Leader
Short Bio
- 2022: Privatdozentin (PD), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- 2020-2021: Junior Group Leader, Team Integrative biology of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, University Hospital Zurich & University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- 2012-2020: Postdoc in noncoding RNA biology, epigenetics, and functional genomics in autoimmune diseases with Prof. Dr. Steffen Gay & Prof. Dr. Oliver Distler, University Hospital Zurich & University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- 2011-2012: Articulum Research Fellow with Prof. Dr. Steffen Gay, University Hospital Zurich & University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- 2005-2010: PhD in Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine & Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 1997-2005: Doctor of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Dr. Jeinmy Carolina Gámez Villamizar
Postdoctoral Researcher
Short Bio
- 2019-2021: Postdoctoral researcher in stem/stromal cell research, articular cartilage regeneration, 3D cell culture and imaging, chondrogenic differentiation, mechanobiology. Section of Experimental Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery. Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University
- 2016-2019: PhD Fellow under the Cooperative Research Training Group: Tissue Analytics for Stem Cell Based Diagnostics and Therapy. Evaluated subjects: Orthopedics, Immunology and Biotechnology. Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University
- 2013-2016: Master of Science in Biochemistry. Medicine Faculty, National University of Colombia
Dr. Janine Lückgen
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 München
- 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
Jean-Marie Bayhurst
Master's Student
Short Bio
- 2021 – present: Master of Science in Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Tübingen
- April 2023 – July 2023: Erasmus+ Internship, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Sweden
- October 2017 – September 2021: Bachelor of Science in Biology, University of Tübingen
César Pérez Bucio
Master's Student
Short Bio
- 2023 – present: Master of Science in Translational Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
- 2022: Undergraduate Research Trainee at McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- 2021: Research intern at Sherbrooke University, Québec, Canada
- 2018 – 2022: Bachelor of Science, Biotechnology Engineering, Monterrey, México
Nika Bostic
Intern
Short Bio
- October 2021 – present: Master of Laboratory Biomedicine, University of Ljubljana
- May 2023 – February 2024: Student Laboratory Assistant, Immunology Laboratory, Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana
- September 2023 – October 2023: Research Intern, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University Medicine Greifswald
- October 2017 – June 2021: Bachelor of Biochemistry, University of Ljubljana
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!
Dr. Swathi Lingam
Scientific Communication & Editorial Associate
Short Bio
Dr. Swathi Lingam received her PhD from the University of Manchester in 2017. Following her doctorate, she trained as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oxford and the National University of Singapore before finishing her postdoctoral journey at BioMed X Institute in 2024.
A passionate science communicator, she contributes to a science communication platform and has a personal blog where she writes about interesting science and life as a scientist. She also enjoys the scientific publication process and is a section editor at Phenotype.