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Nicolas Hoppler defended his thesis
The successful defense of his thesis today likely marks one of Nicolas's last visits to Homburg. Nicolas joined the lab for his research semester back in spring of 2023. His work included immunofluorescence analysis, Calcium-Imaging, cell culture of brush cells, and quantitative RT-PCR. The title of his dissertation is the following Characterization of Trpc5-channels in the epithelium of the trachea (original German title “Charakterisierung des Trpc5-Kanals im Epithel der Trachea”). After his second board exam last fall, Nicolas decided to switch universities, he is now enrolled with the University of Freiburg living closer to family and friends in his home state of Baden-Württemberg. Nicolas will eventually finish his studies of Human Medicine this November. Currently he is interested in pursuing a residency in urology or in general medicine to become a primary care physician. We wish you the very best for your future, cheers to Nicolas!
Thomas Husnik defended his thesis
Thomas Husnik, who is currently a resident dentist in Würburg, Bavaria, has successfully defended his thesis today with the highest distinction summa cum laude. Thomas joined the lab in fall of 2020 just at the pinnacle of the Covid-19 pandemic. He started working on cilia transport in mice but eventually applying his newly-gained knowledge and expertise on human tracheal epithelium derived from body donors. Last fall Thomas finished his studies of dentistry at Saarland University. His scientific contributions have previously been published in Respiratory Research (Hollenhorst*, Husnik* et al., 2023). The title of his thesis is Tuft cell-evoked contribution to the mucociliary clearance of human tracheal respiratory epithelium (original German title “Einfluss der Bürstenzellen auf die mukoziliäre Clearance im menschlichen respiratorischen Eptihel der Trachea”). Given that he has already finished his studies, Thomas is entitled to be referred to as Dr. med. dent. once he receives the certificate of his doctorate degree in the mail. Hip, hip, hooray, Thomas!
Caroline Klozenbücher defended her thesis
We are happy to announce that Caroline Klozenbücher has defended successfully her thesis today. Caroline has joined the lab for her Forschungssemester in spring of 2023 working on cysteinyl leukotriene release. The full title of her thesis is Analysis of the role of tuft cell-mediated cysteinyl leukotriene release for the onset of neurogenic inflammation in the airways (original German title: "Untersuchungen zu Rolle der bürstenzellvermittelten freigesetzten Cysteinylleukotrienen für die Entstehung der neurogenen Entzündung in den Atemwegen"). Caroline will eventually conclude her studies of human medicine by the end of this year. She is currently interested in pursuing a residency either in the field of pediatrics or surgery. Congratulations, Caroline!
Peter Abel is leaving the lab
With a heavy heart we are bidding farewell to Peter Abel. Peter has started an apprenticeship for Administrative Management (Kfm. für Büromanagement) back in August 2023. He will eventually finish his apprenticeship this June. Our loss, however, is a benefit for Dezernat P (Human Resources) of Saarland University in Saarbrücken. Effective immediately, Peter will transition to his new position. We wish you the very best, Peter!
Daniel Speyerer defended his thesis
We congratulate Daniel Speyerer who has successfully defended his MD thesis today. Daniel's work focused on the interaction of nerve fibers with chemosensory cells of the trachea. The title of his thesis is Analysis of functional cross-talk between tuft cells and nerve fibers in the trachea (original German title “Untersuchung der funktionellen Verschaltung zwischen Bürstenzellen und Nervenfasern in der Trachea”). Daniel will eventually conclude his studies of human medicine by the end of this year followed by taking up a residency in cardiology. We wish you all the best. Cheers, Daniel!
Roses are red, violets are blue...
Meet artist Nosaibah Alakkam and her artwork
Lab member and graduate student Nosaibah Alakkam exhibits her artwork Flowers at the Kunst in der Mensa exhibition. We are excited to have an artist among us. Carry on, Nosaibah!
The Genome Puzzle
Inaugural lecture of Dr. Stephan Maxeiner
Dr. Stephan Maxeiner has given his inaugural lecture with the title “The Genome Puzzle” introducing the audience to his research interests largely based on the ASD gene Neuroligin-4 and the genes of the pseudoautosomal region. Stephan has been awarded the academic title “Privatdozent” by the Medical School of Saarland University through Vice Dean of Clinics Prof. Wolfgang Reith.
A new doctoral student arrived...
…we welcome 6th semester student of human medicine Mohamad Alsamel to the lab. Mohamed pursues his research semester in our lab this summer. Welcome, Mohamad!
Functional Microendoscopy Reveals Calcium Responses of Single Cells in Tracheal Tuft Cells and Kidney Podocytes
We are happy to announce the publication of a new paper with substantial contribution from our lab. Mohamed Elhawy, Daniel Speyerer, and Gabi Krasteva-Christ are co-authoring the following paper:
Dancker TA, Elhawy MI, Rittershauß R, Tian Q, Schwarz Y, Hoffmann MDA, Carlein C, Wyatt A, Wahl V, Speyerer D, Kandah A, Boehm U, Prates Roma L, Bruns D, Lipp P, Krasteva-Christ G, Lauterbach MA. Functional Microendoscopy Reveals Calcium Responses of Single Cells in Tracheal Tuft Cells and Kidney Podocytes. Small. 2025. e2411341. doi: 10.1002/smll.202411341. PMID: 40166809.
Dr. Stephan Maxeiner is runners-up for the Teaching Award 2024
The Student Board of the Medical Faculty of Saarland University is annually ranking faculty members as well as academic staff, who both are involved in different teaching formats. The teaching award for 2024, Preis der Lehre, was awarded to Prof. David Mick from the Department of Biochemistry (1st place), Dr. Stephan Maxeiner (2nd), and Prof. Thomas Tschernig (3rd), both Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology.
Comprehensive analysis of the rodent-specific probasin gene reveals its evolutionary origin in the pseudoautosomal region and provides novel insights into rodent phylogeny
We have just received notice that a manuscript from our lab has been accepted in Biology. In this paper we follow the phylogenetic fate of probasin, a prostate-specific gene exclusive to mouse-like rodents.
Paper featured by News Outlet of Saarland University
Our most recent publication in Nature Communications “Tracheal tuft cells release ATP and link innate to adaptive immunity in pneumonia” has been featured by the news outlet of Saarland University.
To read the full article, please, click here.
Tracheal tuft cells release ATP and link innate to adaptive immunity in pneumonia
The new year 2025 has started on a good note, our manuscript entitled “Tracheal tuft cells release ATP and link innate to adaptive immunity in pneumonia”, a collaborative effort of different labs of Saarland University, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Ludwig-Maximillians-University, Munich, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Saarbrücken, and others, has been accepted for publication in Nature Communications.
Case report has been accepted for publication
We are happy to share good news: Our case report with the title Rare superior and middle trunk fusion accompanied by altered division rearrangement results in a unique brachial plexus variant: a case report has been accepted for publication in the journal Diagnostics. The case report is rooted in an observation that has been made during the dissection class in the fall/winter term 2022/23. Authors are students of human medicine Andreas M. Schlüter and Konstantin Redl (both share the first-authorship), Prof. Thomas Tschernig, Dr. Stephan Maxeiner, and Prof. Gabriela Krasteva-Christ.
Jennifer Kuprion receives MD thesis grant
Jennifer Kuprion, student of human medicine, who works on her medical thesis in the Krasteva-Christ lab, competed succuessfully with her research proposal application and receives now funding by the Medical School of Saarland University.
Lab Members participated in the "Homburger Firmenlauf 2024"
Members of our lab have participated in the Homburger Firmenlauf. Notably, the team comprising Malin Zylka, Maria Grammer, and Caroline Klotzenbücher ranked 11th among all female teams. Congratulations to all participants!
Pascal Henrich defended his thesis
Pascal Henrich, currently resident in radiology at Winterberg hospital, Saarbrücken, defended his thesis succuessfully to acquire the title "Dr. med." Congratulation, Pascal!
...and more students will join our lab this summer!
Several more students decided to join the lab. Welcome!
Jonah Busch, Paul Könnel, and Marius Niemann
Welcome to new medical students joining our team!
In the summer semester several new MD students embark on their persuit to perform research for their respective MD theses. The Lab welcomes: Maria Grammer, Emely Herrmann, Jennifer Kuprion, and Florian Friedrich.
HOMFOR funding awarded to Dr. Hollenhorst and Dr. Elhawy
Dr. Monika Hollenhorst has been awarded funding by HOMFOR2024, and Dr. Mohamed Elhawy has been awarded HOMFORexzellent by the Medical School of Saarland University. Congratulations!
Simon Zaffalon defended his thesis
Resident of Cardiology Simon Zaffalon has succuessfully defended his thesis. Congratulations, Simon!
Human airway tuft cells influence the mucociliary clearance through cholinergic signalling
The lab is happy to receive news about one most recently submitted manuscript to Respiratory Research.
Please, follow the link to its PubMed listing:
Hollenhorst MI*, Husnik T*, Zylka M, Duda N, Flockerzi V, Tschernig T, Maxeiner S#, Krasteva-Christ G#. Human airway tuft cells influence the mucociliary clearance through cholinergic signalling. Respir Res. 2023 24(1):267. doi: 10.1186/s12931-023-02570-8. PMID: 37925434 */# shared authorships
Three new medical students join our team
Starting this October, students of human medicine, Andreas Schlüter, Lukas Walter and Samuel Zeitz join our lab to persue their research topic.
Frederick Schweizer defended his thesis
Frederick Schweizer, resident of internal medicine, has been awarded the title Dr. med. upon defending his thesis succuessfully. Congratulations, Frederick!
Nico König and Peter Abel join the Lab
We welcome two new members in our team: Nico König joins as an apprentice our tech support, Peter Abel joins Judith de Schryver in our administrative team as an apprentice.
Dr. Monika Hollenhorst is recipient of the "Forschungspreis der Stadt Homburg"
Our team member Monika Hollenhorst has been awarded the Forschungspreis der Stadt Homburg for her work regarding the role of brush cells in infectious processes. Her work has recently been published in the prestigiousJournal of Clinical Investigation. Former and current lab members have contributed to this article, Saskia B. Evers, Noran Abdel Wadood, Alaa Salah, Gabriela Krasteva-Christ, and other labs.
Caroline and Daniel receive MD thesis grant
Medical Students Caroline Klozenbücher and Daniel Speyerer, who work on their medical theses in the Krasteva-Christ lab, competed succuessfully with their research proposal applications and receive funding by the Medical School of Saarland University.
The Lab publishes two reviews in the Journal of Physiology
Two independent reviews were published in the May issue of the Journal of Physiology. Monika published a review entitledChemosensory cells in the respiratory tract as crucial regulators of innate immune responses, Stephan's review highlights Pitfalls of using sequence databases for heterologous expression studies. Both articles are part of the collection New roles for ion channels and transporters in health and disease.