Current projects:

Studying the interaction of laminin (LM-511) and HSPC in terms of adhesion, migration and differentiation. Characterization of the functional role of a-defensins in HSC and developing erythroid cells in 3D hanging drop cultures.

Research interests:

Besides the hematopietic stem cells, the second adult multipotent stem cells in the bone marrow are mesenchymal stem cells (also called mesenchymal stromal cells, MSC), which are a heterogeneous class of cells. Subpopulations of MSC are also an integral part of the stem cell niches. Using optimal culture conditions MSC can be differentiated into the osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic lineages. The characterization of defined interactions of MSC (subtypes) with hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells is an important topic in our group. Photo: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

The actual research focus is:

• The hematopoietic stem cell niche: Role of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions
• Stem cell mobilization
• The hematopoietic stem cell niche as a primary target for metastatic lesions
• T-cell differentiation in the thymus

Links: Publications on Pubmed, Tübingen Medical Clinic