We are applying computational solutions to contribute to the understanding of inflammatory pathomechanisms and a personalized medical approach, bridging the gap between data, bench and bedside in the rheumatology field.
Our research focuses on providing a better insight on the molecular basis of autoimmune rheumatic diseases using computational approaches. We are working closely with wet-lab scientists and clinicians to generate tailored analysis for experimental data and answer complex biological questions in rheumatology. Use of bioinformatic algorithms for integration of high-throughput and experimental data allows us to perform interdisciplinary research to understand drivers of inflammation and develop a more personalized treatment approach. Several projects are currently ongoing which address the specific role of cell-cell interactions and environmental factors on the transcriptome and epigenome of pathogenic cell types. A major focus lies on epigenetic regulation of cell stability under steady state and autoimmune conditions. Other areas of interests are liquid biopsies and cell-free nucleic acids for biomarker development.
We are continuously looking for highly motivated individuals to join our team.
Latest Research
Team members
As of March 2025
Olga Zuzanna Wilk
Erasmus student and traineeResearch interests:
Data analysis in R Studio, analysing transcriptomic datasets, data cleaning, data tidying
Dr. med. Sebstain Hasenauer
Master StudentRegulatory T cells have a central function in the regulation of autoimmunological processes. Depending on the immunological microenvironment, they are able to dynamically adapt their transcriptional profile to the situation. Using bioinformatic and molecular biological methods, we are investigating the role of epigenetic mechanisms in this functional plasticity.
With my project, I would like to contribute to a deeper understanding of these processes and, in the long term, to the development of new immunomodulatory therapeutic approaches.