Michael Bonelli studied medicine at the Medical University of Vienna. He carried out his doctorial thesis at the Division of Rheumatology on the role of regulatory T cells in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
In 2005 he started his internal residency at the Medical University of Vienna. He performed a research fellowship in the laboratory of Dr. John O´Shea at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease (NIAMS) at the National Institute of Health (NIH) from 2011- 2014. Within his research fellowship he addressed the importance of epigenetic modifications for the identification and stability of regulatory T cells under steady state and inflammatory conditions.
After his return he finished his rheumatology fellowship and became Associate Professor at the Division of Rheumatology at the Medical University of Vienna. He established a research group which aims to address the importance of epigenetic modifications of T cells for the pathogenesis of T cell mediated autoimmune diseases. He received several grants and awards from the Austrian Science Fund and Austrian National Bank.
Current members
As of December 2024
Assoc. Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dr.med.univ. Michael Bonelli
Research LeaderE-Mail | Linked-in | Bluesky | Twitter | Curriculum vitae
Melanie Acosta, M.Sc.
Lab Managment and Research TechnicianAs a research assistant and lab manager, I combine hands-on experimentation with managerial responsibilities. I conduct wet lab work and provide key support to PhD students in their research projects. Additionally, I ensure smooth lab operations by coordinating logistics, resources, and schedules.
My role bridges scientific research and operational support, helping drive our lab’s innovative work in the field of rheumatology.
Teresa Preglej, PhD
Postdoctoral ResearcherResearch interests
I coordinate projects in the field of autoimmunological diseases, with a primary focus on rheumatoid arthritis (RA). One of my project is dedicated to deciphering the precise mode of action of methotrexate, a common drug in the treatment of RA.
Despite the proven efficacy of methotrexate, many RA patients still fail to achieve the desired treatment response. My second project therefore aims to find new therapeutic approaches for RA by investigating the potential of epigenetically active therapeutic molecules.
Finally, my third project tackles more broadly the development of T cells in RA and their contribution to its pathogenesis.
Marie Brinkmann, M.Sc.
PhD-StudentResearch interests
Epigenetic processes are involved in a variety of immune responses. We are investigating whether novel drugs that inhibit epigenetically active enzymes have the potential to counteract a dysregulated immune system as found in autoimmune diseases.
As a systems biologist in the field of immunology, I aim to understand the overall effects of these novel compounds I employ OMICs methods, including single-cell sequencing and spectral flow cytometry, to achieve this understanding.
Mirjam Dellinger, M.Sc.
PhD-Student (co-supervised by Thomas Karonitsch)Research Interests
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory joint disease that can lead to pain and joint damage in affected patients. The interaction between fibroblasts of the synovial tissue and infiltrating immune cells is suspected to drive this inflammation. I am investigating the cell-cell interaction between fibroblasts and immune cells using primary cell culture-based models of synovium and their impact on disease progression. I use high-content microscopy, RNA-sequencing and spectral flow cytometry.
Bianca Luckerbauer, M.Sc.
PhD-StudentResearch Interests
Regulatory T cells control a large array of immune responses which rely on their capacity to adapt to their local environment. Acquisition of specific transcription factors is thereby necessary to control distinct disease settings. I am interested in describing the transcription factor NFIL3 and its potential role for Treg development and function.
Lisabeth Emilius, M.Sc.
PhD-Student (co-supervised by Leonhard Heinz)Research interests
Treatment decisions for patients with rheumatoid arthritis continue to be based on trial and error, leading to disease progression and increasing joint damage and disability. A novel approach for predicting response to treatment ex vivo is based on high-content microscopy.
In my project, I aim to use high-content microscopy and subsequent automated image analysis to identify markers that predict drug response in rheumatoid arthritis.
Laura Hermann, M.Sc.
PhD-StudentResearch interest
CD4+ T cells play a central role in coordinating the immune response, helping to protect the body from infections and other threats. However, in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, the balance between different subsets of CD4+ T cells become disrupted. This imbalance contributes to the chronic inflammation seen in rheumatoid arthritis.
My research aims to unravel the pathogenic role of CD4+ subsets in this disease using a mouse model with specifically engineered CD4+ T cells.
As a member of the new SHIELD PhD program, I am excited to contribute to our understanding of immune system dysfunction and its failure to protect the body in conditions like autoimmune diseases.
