New joint project approved in SFB 1607

It is also one of four SFBs at the Medical Faculty of the University of Cologne and Cologne University Hospital. Prof. Andrea Steinbicker, director of the Department of Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care Medicine, and Prof. Verena Prokosch, W2 professor of glaucoma diseases at the Center for Ophthalmology at Cologne University Hospital, have received DFG approval. The project will initially receive €300,000 in funding for two years.

Glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness in Germany, is poorly understood in terms of its pathogenesis. In this innovative project, the two scientists will investigate the possible roles of iron metabolism disorders and inflammation in glaucoma pathogenesis. Their research will strengthen the SFB's glaucoma research area and is expected to open up new therapeutic possibilities through modulation of inflammation and iron metabolism.

Professor Steinbicker has a long track record of successful research into iron metabolism disorders. Professor Prokosch has many years of experience studying neurodegeneration and neuroregeneration in glaucoma. Their studies have shown that iron regulation in the retina is impaired. Together, they will drive the new project forward. "I am very pleased about this funding and look forward to researching the new focus with Prof. Prokosch," Prof. Steinbicker said at the SFB retreat in Siegburg in mid-January, where the project was discussed in detail and the new leadership duo was welcomed. Prof. Prokosch added, "If we improve glaucoma therapy and develop new neuroprotective therapies, we can prevent a great deal of blindness."

Prof. Claus Cursiefen, director of the Center for Ophthalmology at Cologne University Hospital, spokesperson for SFB 1607 and Executive Board Member at the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), emphasized at the time of approval: "We are very pleased that this new project will strengthen glaucoma research at the SFB, and we are glad to have recruited Prof. Steinbicker, an innovative clinician-scientist who focuses on iron metabolism and inflammation research. Together with Prof. Prokosch's excellent glaucoma expertise as a clinician-scientist in this field, this creates an ideal symbiosis."

This message has been modified by the CMMC (K. Heber & D. Grosskopf-Kroiher) and is based on the text by the press and communications team of the University Hospital Cologne (original German version here).