Who is ...
Sebastian J Theobald
Dr. Sebastian J Theobald is a molecular immunologist specializing in host-pathogen interactions, with a focus on infectious diseases and immunotherapy. Since January 2023, he has served as Co-Principal Investigator at the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), leading research efforts within project B10, which investigates immune crosstalk in viral infections and vaccination. In parallel, he is a Research Associate at the University Hospital of Cologne, where he is part of the Clinic I for Internal Medicine, working with Professor Jan Rybniker on infection immunology and translational research.
Theobald´s research focuses on understanding the molecular and immunological interactions between the host immune system and pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and SARS-CoV-2. His work aims to decipher innate and adaptive immune crosstalk and explore new immunomodulatory strategies for infectious diseases. His academic career is progressing steadily, marked by impactful international collaborations and pioneering research, through which he continues to make significant contributions to the field of infection immunology.
Academic & Research Career
Sebastian Theobald's research career began with a strong foundation in biomedical sciences. He obtained his Doctorate (Dr. rer. nat.) summa cum laude in 2020 from Hannover Medical School under the mentorship of Professor Renata Stripecke. His doctoral research focused on immunological mechanisms in hematology and infectious diseases. Prior to this, he earned a Master of Science in Biomedicine from Hannover Medical School and a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology from the University of Applied Sciences Aachen. His early research experiences included laboratory internships and thesis projects at renowned institutions, including the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the University of Cambridge, and Yale School of Medicine. Key publications include:
- Spleen tyrosine kinase mediates innate and adaptive immune crosstalk in SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination (EMBO Mol Med., 2022, doi:10.15252/emmm.202215888)
- Gasdermin D mediates host cell death but not interleukin-1β secretion in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected macrophages (Cell Death Discov., 2021, doi: 10.1038/s41420-021-00716-5)
- Long-lived macrophage reprogramming drives spike protein-mediated inflammasome activation in COVID-19 (EMBO Mol Med. 2021, doi:10.15252/emmm.202114150)
For an overview of Theobald´s publications, please click here.
Professional Engagement & Editorial Work
Beyond his research, Theobald actively contributes to the scientific community. Since 2024, he has been a Board Member of the Infection Immunology Working Group of the German Society for Immunology (DGfI) and an Associate Member of the DFG Priority Program SPP 2225. He also serves as Vice-Spokesperson of the Young Immunologists of the DGfI and as a Review Editor for Frontiers in Tuberculosis.
Scientific Recognition & Awards
Sebastian Theobald has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards for his contributions to immunology and infectious disease research. In 2022, he was awarded the PhD Prize of the Paul-Ehrlich Society for Infection Therapy and, in 2021, the DZIF PhD Prize from the German Society for Infectious Diseases (DGI). His research has also been supported by several competitive grants, including CMMC Individual Project Funding in 2023, as well as funding from the University of Cologne, Cologne Fortune, and the Imhof-Society.
Theobald´s research focuses on understanding the molecular and immunological interactions between the host immune system and pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and SARS-CoV-2. His work aims to decipher innate and adaptive immune crosstalk and explore new immunomodulatory strategies for infectious diseases. Through his leadership roles, international collaborations, and cutting-edge research, he continues to make significant contributions to the field of infection immunology.