Research
Joachim Schultze, Dr. med.Professor of Genomics and Immunoregulationphone: +49 (0)2 28 / 73 - 6 27 86 |
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| 1991-1992 | AiP Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg |
| 1992-1993 | Assistenzarzt Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg |
| 1993-1995 | Research Fellow, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute |
| 1995-1996 | Research Associate, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute |
| 1996-1997 | Instructor in Medicine, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute |
| 1997-2002 | Instructor in Medicine, Department of Adult Oncology, Disease Center for Hematologic Malignancies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute |
| 2002-2007 | C3-Professor für zelluläre Tumorimmunologie, Universität Köln |
| Since 2007 | Full Professor and Chair for Immunogenomics, Life & Medical Sciences (LIMES)-Center, University of Bonn |
Research Interests
The group of Dr. Schultze is working on these major issues1. Immunoregulation of dendritic cells and T lymphocytes 2. Genome wide transcriptome analyses of peripheral blood to develop predictive and diagnostic signatures 3. Development of novel biomarkers in peripheral blood 4. Human biology and genomics of genes studied within LIMES.
A main aspect of immunoregulation is the molecular characterization of so-called regulatory T cells (funded by Jose Carreras Foundation), as well as regulatory dendritic cells. Currently we focus on the characterization of the immunoinhibitory enzyme indolamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) expressed by regulatory dendritic cells and its influence on the function of different T cell subset (funded by SFB 704). We are also interested to understand, how such regulatory dendritic cells can fight intracellular pathogens (funded by SFB 670). In this context, we are also interested in the role of immunoregulatory molecules such as prostaglandins (funded by Deutsche Krebshilfe).
During the last year with have pioneered important aspects of blood transcriptomics. Together with clinical collaborators we are currently performing larger studies to develop predictive and diagnostic RNA signatures for malignant, inflammatory and infectious diseases.
In collaboration with industry, we are developing novel biomarkers.
Currently two major projects are conducted. Together with Becton Dickinson, we are developing novel biomarkers for regulatory T cells. In collaboration with Eli Lilly biomarkers to monitor novel therapies targeting transforming growth factor beta (TGFß) drugs is developed.
Together with collaborators within LIMES we are translating findings from model organisms to human biology, genomics and medicine. E.g. we are interested in genetic polymorphisms of genes studied within LIMES, whether these polymorphisms are associated with altered function and their potential association with complex diseases.
Key publications
1. Schultze JL, Michalak S, Seamon MJ, Dranoff G, Jung K, Daley J, Delgado JC, Gribben JG, Nadler LM. CD40-Activated Human B Cells: A Cost Effective, Alternative Source of Highly Efficient Antigen Presenting Cells to Generate Autologous Antigen-Specific T cells for Adoptive Immunotherapy. J Clin Invest, 100: 2757-2765, (1997)
2. Schultze, JL, Michalak S, Lowne J, Wong A, Gilleece MH, Gribben JG, Nadler LM. Human non-germinal center B cell IL-12 production is primarily regulated by T cell signals CD40L. IFN-? and IL-10: Role of B cells in the maintenance of T cell responses. J Exp Med, 189: 1-11. (1999)
3. Trojan, AH, Schultze JL, Vonderheide RH, Ladetto M, Donovan JW, Gribben JG. CTL Responses against Immunoglobulin: Identification of Rare Unique Epitopes but Multiple Shared Framework Derived Sequences. Nature Medicine, 6: 667-673, (2000) sharing first authors.
4. von Bergwelt-Baildon MS, Vonderheide RH, Maecker B, Hirano N, Anderson KS, Butler MO, Xia Z, Zeng WY, Wucherpfennig KW, Nadler LM, Schultze JL. Human primary and memory cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses are efficiently induced by means of CD40-activated B cells as antigen-presenting cells: potential for clinical application. Blood, 99: 3319-25, (2002)
5. Beyer M, Kochanek M, Darabi K, Popov A, Jensen M, Endl E, Knolle PA, Thomas RK, von Bergwelt-Baildon M, Debey S, Hallek M, Schultze JL. Reduced frequencies and suppressive function of CD4+ CD25high regulatory T cells in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia after therapy with fludarabine.
Blood, 106: 2018-25, (2005)
6. Popov A, Abdullah Z, Wickenhauser C, Saric T, Driesen J, Hanisch F. G., Domann E, Raven E, Dehus O, Hermann C, Eggle D, Debey S, Chakraborty T, Krönke M, Utermöhlen O, Schultze JL. Containment of pathogens in granulomatous infection - new role of dendritic cells revealed in human listeriosis. J Clin Invest, 116(12):3160-70. (2006)
7. Chemnitz JM, Eggle D, Driesen J, Classen S, Riley JL, Debey-Pascher S, Beyer M, Popov A, Zander Z, Schultze JL. RNA-fingerprints provide direct evidence for the inhibitory role of TGFß on CD4+ T cells in Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Blood; 110(9):3226-33. (2007)