Prof. Dr. Luise Erpenbeck
"No positions via CiM-IMPRS in 2024"
Neutrophils and Neutrophil Extracellular Traps
– Basic mechanisms and translational significance
Immunology/ Inflammation/ Biophysics/ Neutrophils/ Translational Dermatology
Neutrophils are the most abundant form of white blood cells, comprising between 50 to 70% of all leukocytes. They are key effectors of the innate immune system and possess an impressive arsenal of antimicrobial defence strategies, including the release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). While NETs are able to immobilize and eliminate invading pathogens, dysregulated NET formation is associated with the pathogenesis of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Therefore, we aim to understand how the formation of NETs is regulated both on a single-cell level and by collective decision making. We are particularly interested in intercellular communication of neutrophils amongst each other and with other cells of the immune system, including platelets and the adaptive immune system. Furthermore, we have a long-standing interest in biophysical aspects of neutrophil biology, including cytoskeletal changes during NET formation and nuclear mechanics. Through my work as a dermatologist we have access to a variety of clinical samples and investigate the importance of neutrophils and NETs in the context of important inflammatory diseases such as lupus erythematosus or psoriasis. PhD students will be working in a young, enthusiastic and highly cooperative environment with innovative, state-of-the-art imaging approaches (including the development of novel imaging methods) and a strong clinical relevance.
Vita
- 2003 – 2010 Medical studies at the Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg,
and the Georg-August-University, Göttingen - 2006 – 2007 Research Year at the Rudolf-Virchow-Center for Experimental Medicine,
Würzburg, Schön Lab - 2010 – 2012 Guest Scientist at the Max-Planck-Institute for Intelligent Systems Stuttgart/
Heidelberg, Spatz Lab - 2011- 2012 and Physician and Scientists at the Dpt. of Dermatology, University Medical
- 2014 – 2019 Center Göttingen
- 2012 – 2014 Postdoctoral Fellow, Boston Children’s Hospital (Harvard Medical School),
Boston, Massachusetts, USA - March 2019 Board Examination for Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology
- 2020 - 2021 Senior Physician at the Dpt. of Dermatology,
University Medical Center Göttingen - Since August 2021 W3 Professorship at the Dpt. of Dermatology,
University Medical Center, Münster
Selected references
Neubert E, Meyer D, Rocca F, Kwaczala-Tessmann A, Grandke J, Senger-Sander S, Geisler C, Egner A, Schön MP, Erpenbeck L*, Kruss S*. (2018). Chromatin swelling drives neutrophil extracellular trap release. Nat Commun 9(1), 3767 *contributed equally
Neubert E, Senger-Sander SN, Manzke VS, Busse J, Polo E, Scheidmann SEF, Schön MP, Kruss S, Erpenbeck L. (2019). Serum and Serum Albumin Inhibit in vitro Formation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs). Front Immunol 24;10:12
Erpenbeck L, Gruhn AL, Kudryasheva G, Günay G, Meyer D, Busse J, Neubert E, Schön MP, Rehfeldt F, Kruss S. (2019). Effect of Adhesion and Substrate Elasticity on Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation. Front Immunol 1;10:2320
Neubert L, Bach KM, Busse J, Bogeski I, Schön MP, Kruss S, Erpenbeck L. (2019). Blue and long-wave ultraviolet light induce in vitro Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation. Front Immunol 25;10:2428
Selvaggio G, Chizhik A, Nißler R, Kuhlemann I, Meyer D, Vuong L, Preiß H, Herrmann N, Mann FA, Lv Z, Oswald TA, Spreinat A, Erpenbeck L, Großhans J, Karius V, Janshoff A, Giraldo JP, Kruss S. (2020). Exfoliated near infrared fluorescent silicate nanosheets for (bio)photonics. Nat Commun 20;11(1):149
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