
Career Advancement Groups
The Career Advancement Program (CAP) has been specifically designed to support high-potential mid-career scientists of the Medical Faculty aiming for full professorships or equivalent leadership positions at non-university research institutions. If required the CMMC provides temporary access to high-quality laboratory space in the CMMC Research Building, access to the research infrastructure and administrative support as well as support aimed at enhancing their scientific expertise and professional skills base. The CMMC currently supports the following 18 CAP-Groups.
Antczak, Philipp - CMMC CAP 20 and assoc. CMMC JRG 06

Understanding the molecular basis of stress, longevity, and aging
My research group entitled “Computational Biology of Aging” focuses primarily on the application of computational approaches to explore the interplay between multiple layers of biological organisation and their phenotypic characterisation. Specifically, this entails the analysis of several cohorts at the University Hospital Cologne (UHC) where data integration, predictive/statistical modelling and network biology approaches are the key methodologies that are applied to improve our understanding of the associated clinical questions. In parallel, my group continues to explore the impact of exogenous stress on organism function. In recent years this was centred on non-human species to improve our understanding of the impact of exogenous stressors and explore the thresholds at which adverse events occur with plans to explore human centered data via new grant opportunities.
Balke-Want, Hyatt - CMMC CAP 36

T cell and Genome Engineering
We want to improve CART therapy by overcoming the suppressive tumor microenvironment in B-NHL and identify mechanisms to prevent exhaustion in CART products. To this end, we apply synthetic biology and CRISPR-based engineering. Importantly, our approach is guided by insights gained from high-dimensional profiling of relevant patient samples.
Brägelmann, Johannes - CMMC CAP 18

Dissecting the molecular mechanisms of tumor evolution and therapy resistance
A major factor limiting the survival of cancer patients is the lack of durable treatment response and the emergence of therapy resistant disease. The causal genetic and epigenetic mechanisms driving tumor evolution and therapy resistance are still largely unknown. However, we consider a detailed knowledge of these processes vital in order to improve existing and design novel treatment strategies. Accordingly, our group explores the molecular determinants of tumor development and therapy response by combining forward genetic screens and data-driven molecular biology with a special focus on lung and head and neck cancer.
Brähler, Sebastian - CMMC CAP 17

Immunobiology of glomerular diseases
The kidney contains a dense network of immune cells, which is of central importance for organ homeostasis but can also lead to tissue damage and ultimately renal failure. While both kidney biology and renal immunology have made tremendous progress in the past, the interaction between kidney cells like tubulus cells or podocytes and immune cells is still poorly understood.
We are currently investigating the following areas:
- Characterization of the anti-inflammatory properties of cDC1 and checkpoint proteins: Based on our recent data, cDC1 have robust anti-inflammatory properties in glomerulonephritis. Therefore, we use kidney disease models, flow cytometry and advanced imaging methods to understand their exact molecular function.
- Analysis of glomerular pro-inflammatory signaling: Glomerulonephritis is a specific inflammation of the renal filtering unit. Renal cells like podocytes are among the first responders to tissue injury. We analyze and try to modulate the inflammatory environment in glomeruli to prevent disease progression right where it starts.
- Immune cell metabolism in renal diseases. Metabolism is a fundamental prerequisite for each cell’s activation and function. Our aim is to investigate the involvement of key metabolic pathways in renal disease like the TCA cycle.
Corrado, Mauro - CMMC CAP 21

Investigating the metabolic determinants of T cell immunological memory
In recent years, the emerging field of immunometabolism has started to unveil the role of metabolism in shaping immune function, and to reveal how modulating cell or organismal metabolism can affect immune cell differentiation.
“With my team I am investigating how mitochondrial function is regulated in T cells in health and disease and how its dysregulation during ageing or pathology results in impaired or altered immune response. My long-term goal is to clarify the transcriptional and micro-environmental mechanisms involved in the development of long-term immune memory and define how metabolic plasticity modulates cellular responses to stress and immune chal-lenges” Mauro Corrado comments, whose research group is located in the CECAD Research Building.
Escobar-Henriques, Mafalda - CMMC CAP 14

Role of mitofusin 2 in health and disease
Mitochondria are mobile organelles that constantly fuse and divide. These properties play a central role in quality control processes and energy expenditure. Mitochondrial fusion depends on the mitofusin proteins MFN1 and MFN2. Dysfunction of MFN2 causes the neuropathy Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2A, is associated with Parkinson’s disease and with cardiovascular pathologies, but is also linked with type 2 diabetes and obesity and with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cancer. We aim at understanding at the molecular level the disease-underlying functions of MFN2.
Fenech, Emma - CMMC CAP 37

Defining specificity of homologous machineries resident in the secretory pathway
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is one of the largest organelles in the cell and serves as the entry point to the secretory pathway, enabling cells to interact with their environment. It performs a wide array of essential cellular functions and each one of these is controlled by pairs, or families, of protein homologs that provide each other with back-up functionality. In addition to this redundancy however, homologs are known to encode differences, and distinguishing these unique properties and functions has been challenging. My research group aims to reveal the mechanisms of specificity through discovering transiently-interacting clients and regulators of homologs resident in the ER and early secretory pathway. In particular, we focus on homologous quality control (QC) machineries, which are critical for organellar, cellular and tissue homeostasis.
Howaldt, Antonia - CMMC CAP 37

Innate viral immune response and cell death mechanisms in HSV-1 keratitis
We will investigate how CD83- and ZBP1-mediated immune responses influence the development of HSK and concomitant corneal hem- and lymphangiogenesis and whether targeting these pathways can offer new therapeutic possibilities.
Hoyer, Friedrich F - CMMC CAP 22

Myeloid Leukocytes in Cardiovascular and Systemic Inflammation
Dr. Hoyer’s research group focuses on myeloid leukocyte biology in cardiovascular disease. Inflammation’s involvement in various cardiovascular pathologies has garnered much attention in recent years, and the role and function of myeloid leukocytes are increasingly recognized. Certain features of myeloid cells promote tissue maintenance and repair. Excessive inflammatory activity, on the contrary, exacerbates injury and impacts systemic complications. Mechanisms shifting myeloid cells’ responses towards healing while minimizing collateral tissue damage remain insufficiently understood. Aiming to find novel therapeutic ways to mitigate cardiovascular inflammation and halt disease progression, Felix Hoyer’s group focuses on how
- systemic mechanisms regulate the supply of inflammatory myeloid cells, and
- differentiated myeloid effector cells influence cardiovascular disease progression and systemic inflammation.
Ising, Christina - CMMC CAP 29

Microglia Cell Death and Senescence in Tauopathies
The Ising lab focuses on the role of cell death and senescence of microglia, the innate immune cells of the brain, in the development and progression of aging-associated tauopathies such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Leidecker, Orsolya - CMMC CAP 30

Maintenance of Genome Stability and Nuclear Integrity
We focus on two cellular processes that are often deregulated during aging and in aging-associated diseases, such as cancer:
- Genome stability maintenance
- Trafficking through the nuclear pore complex (NPC)
- CMMC CAP 30 - Leidecker
- Publications - Leidecker - Link to PubMed
Maleki, Hajar - CMMC CAP 35 and assc. JRG 08

Functional Bio-inspired Porous Materials
PD Dr. Maleki's group focuses on the rational design of self-assembled and sol-gel derived bio-inspired hybrid smart nanomaterials as a theragenerative systems (combination of therapy and regeneration) with improved biomimetic microstructure, mechanical, self-healing and shape morphing properties for minimally invasive bone cancer therapy and bone regeneration and drug delivery purposes.
- CMMC CAP 35 and assoc. CMMC JRG 08 - Maleki
- Maleki Lab - Functional Porous Materials
- Publications - Hajar Maleki - Link to PubMed
Nguyen, Phuong-Hien - CMMC CAP 19

Deciphering the functional relevance and signal transduction network of protein kinases in the tumor microenvironment
The definition of cancer hallmarks has significantly expanded in the last decades and cancer is no longer considered a disease of only malignant cells, but a highly complex tissue comprising tumor cells and their tumor microenvironment (TME).
“My research is based on the finding that non-receptor tyrosine kinases are functionally essential for the creation of a proneoplastic, microenvironmental niche. The distinct, cell-type specific patterns of substrate activation induced by kinases may lead to a differential activation of transcription factors and, as a consequence, to a cell type-specific modulation of cellular functions”, Nguyen comments and adds ”Because many kinase inhibitors are readily available, understanding these kinases’ functions in the TME will be useful to design improved anti-cancer therapies, particularly to target the immune- and metastatic niches”.
Nüchel, Julian - CMMC CAP 31

Investigating the Effects of Post-Translational Mechanisms on ECM Homeostasis in Human Disease and Aging and Exploring Potential Modulations as Therapeutic Target
Oda, Hirotsugu - CMMC CAP 39

Genetics-driven Precision Immunology for Unraveling Chronic Inflammatory Disease Mechanisms
Chronic inflammation plays a central role in various human diseases, including rheumatic conditions. Current research strategies largely rely on hypothesis-driven animal studies, highlighting the need for human-centric, forward-genetic approaches. We propose a novel concept of human molecular immunology, leveraging genome sequencing to identify new genetic drivers and elucidate causal molecular mechanisms of chronic inflammation in humans. Furthermore, tissue-regulated inflammation is studied using genetic models, integrating insights from both established and newly discovered inflammatory conditions. By advancing genetics-guided precision medicine, this research aims to pave the way for targeted therapies in chronic inflammatory diseases.
Piano, Valentina - CMMC CAP 32

Uncovering the mechanisms regulating mitochondrial dynamics during cell division
Schlereth, Simona - CMMC CAP 40

Therapeutic regulation of innate immune responses in ocular allergy
Our research interest is the therapeutic regulation of innate immune responses in diseases of the ocular surface, including the cornea, sclera and conjunctiva. The eye is an immune privileged organ and several immune responses differ from immune responses in other organs. We consider the innate immune responses to be particularly important because these are the first immune responses to a variety of stimuli.
Simonis, Alexander - CMMC CAP 27 and assoc. JRG 09

Translational Immunology in Infectious Diseases
The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria is a major public health concern with increasing mortality throughout the world. While nowadays new drugs and therapeutic approaches are on the rise for many diseases, the clinical implementation of innovative therapeutics in the treatment of bacterial infections is stagnating. To overcome the limited amount of new antibiotics, the development of immunotherapies, which enhance the host immune response, seems reasonable. This approach might be particularly effective in immunocompromised patients such as critically ill patients or patients receiving chemotherapy. Accordingly, our group explores the host-pathogen interactions of clinically relevant bacteria to develop new powerful immunotherapeutic strategies in the fight against MDR bacteria.
Trentini, Débora - CMMC CAP 33 and assoc. CMMC JRG 05

Protein Quality Control and Stress Response
We are interested in understanding the mechanisms governing the homeostasis of the cellular proteome (proteostasis). Protein structures are highly complex and dynamic, and several stresses can compromise their integrity. Therefore, cells are equipped with an intricate and adaptive network of factors ensuring protein synthesis, folding, trafficking, conformational maintenance, and degradation. Importantly, misfolded proteins are not only dysfunctional, but they can also coalesce into potentially toxic aggregates. Importantly, misfolded proteins are not only dysfunctional, but they can also coalesce into potentially toxic aggregates. These represent a hallmark of many aging-associated neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Our aims are to understand how protein quality control pathways distinguish defective from functional proteins, how the decision between repair and elimination is made, and how these processes are activated under stress and pathological conditions.
Wolf, Anne - CMMC CAP 34

Investigation of the Mechanisms and Triggers leading to a Detrimental Retinal Immune Response during AAV-based Retinal Gene Therapy
Zehner, Matthias - CMMC CAP 41

Antibody-Based Strategies for Targeting HCMV: From Mechanistic Insights to Therapeutic Applications
Our research group focuses on antibody-based strategies targeting HCMV. By combining mechanistic insights into viral entry, spread, and immune escape with translational antibody engineering, we aim to develop innovative immunotherapeutic approaches that close critical gaps in HCMV treatment.
Zempel, Hans - CMMC CAP 28

Molecular Mechanisms and Gene Therapy approaches for Genetic and Sporadic Neurodegenerative Diseases
Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and variants thereof, such as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Picks disease (PiD) and Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD) can be classified as ageing-associated taupathies. These taupathies, as well as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia, and other TAU and mitochondria related dementia-causing syndromes are devastating disorders that impose a huge burden on society. Genetic variants, splicing defects and pathological axodendritic distribution of the protein TAU cause or significantly contribute to these diseases. Understanding the neurobiological, cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying TAU physiology in disease relevant human cells is crucial for developing successful therapeutic approaches for AD and associated diseases.
Our recently established junior research group: “Functional Genetics of Neurodegeneration and Neurological Disease” currently works on the elucidation of pathomechanisms of genetic and sporadic forms of tauopathies, including AD and mitochondriopathies. By better understanding the molecular disease mechanisms, we strive to identify and test novel therapeutic approaches for these currently incurable diseases. As model systems, we focus on human iPSC-derived neurons (iNs), TAU-humanized mice and primary neurons derrived from these, as well as several other cell types (e.g. patient-derived primary fibroblasts). We use lentiviruses (LV), state of the art microscopy (i.a. calcium imaging, photoconversion/optogenetics, STED-nanoscopy) and omics approaches ((sc)RNAseq and proteomics) to elucidate disease mechanisms and test therapeutic approaches in disease-relevant human neurons and in TAU-humanized mice.
Former CAP-Awardees
CAP 26 - Philipp Schommers
Antiviral Immunity
CAP 25 - David Pla-Martin
Modulate mitochondrial quality control to decelerate disease progression
CAP 24 - Nieves Peltzer
Cell death and inflammation in health and disease
CAP 23 - Lydia Meder
Deciphering therapeutic targets in the lung cancer metastatic cascade
CAP 16 - Grit Herter-Sprie
Harnessing CDK4/6 imhinition to promote T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity
CAP 15 - Maria Notara
Effects of UV irradiation on corneal angiogenic privilege: pterygium as a UV-induced stem cell disease model: The limbal niche and corneal avascularity
CAP 13 - Jan Herter
CD4 T cell reactivation in peripheral tissues
CAP 12 - Hans A. Schlößer
Tumor-specific endogenous immune response and immune escape in gastrointestinal cancer
CAP 11 - Deniz Hos
The contribution of myeloid cells to corneal neovascular disease
CAP 10 - Miguel A Alejandre Alcázar
Pursuing novel molecular mechanisms and treatment strategies in bronchopulmonary dysplasia: functional role of Krüppel-like factor 4 (Klf4)
CAP 09 - Roland Ullrich
Targeting tumor angiogenesis
CAP 08 - Jan Rybniker
Comprehensive host-cell based antibiotic drug discovery
CAP 07 - Stephan Rosenkranz
Role of PI3Kd in atherosclerosis
CAP 06 - Martin Peifer
Computational cancer genomics
CAP 04 - Catherin Niemann
Molecular function of Lef1 mutations (E45K/S61P and DNLef1) in epithelial tissues and cancer
CAP 03 - Helmar Lehman
Mechanisms of axonal injury in neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity
CAP 02 - Mathieu Clement-Ziza
Mechanisms of tumor development: intrinsic and extrinsic control of cell proliferation and tissue invasion
CAP 01 - Paul T Brinkötter
Mitochondrial dysfunction and glomerular disease