510

Address: Otfried-Müller-Str. 4/1
72076 Tübingen


Research laboratory

Research at the Institute of Clinical and Experimental Transfusion Medicine focuses on the biology of platelets, the pathophysiology of immunocytopenia, in particular immune thrombocytopenia, and the translational development of novel immunohematological therapies.

Thromboinflammation

Current research topics

There is increasing evidence that the interaction between platelets and leukocytes, particularly with neutrophils, leads to abnormal formation of neutrophil extracellular DNA traps (NETosis), which are considered one of the main causes of thromboinflammation. New target molecules are being developed to prevent this effect. Further trials to block platelet activation in combination with anticoagulation and fibrinolysis are being investigated by the research group .

Head of the research group

Platelet hemophilia working group

Current research topics

In our Platelet-Hemophilia research group, we focus on patients with Hemophilia A, which involves a deficiency of factor VIII, or patients with Hemophilia B, which involves a deficiency of factor IX. Hemophilia patients exhibit different types of bleeding. The role of platelets in this context remains largely unclear.

Innovative blood products

Current research topics

The transfusion of platelet concentrates is an essential measure for the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of bleeding and primary hemostasis disorders. The necessity for this can be due to either thrombocytopenia or platelet dysfunction. Current products exhibit critical drawbacks, such as storage-related lesions of platelets and bacterial contamination. Our focus is on optimizing and improving the clinical efficiency of these standard preparations and developing innovative or alternative blood products.

Head of the research group
Portrait

Dr. rer. nat Irene Marini

Phone number: +49 7071 29-81659

E-mail address: irene.marini@med.uni-tuebingen.de

Immune thrombocytopenia (Clinical studies)

Current research topics

We focus on immune-mediated reactions against platelets and megakaryocytes. Using various in vitro and in vivo models, we analyze defects in the maturation of megakaryocytes and the production of platelets in patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenia.
One of the main tasks of IKET is to find answers to practical questions in patient care through clinical studies. For this purpose, IKET participates in a number of clinical studies, both as the principal investigator and as a participating study center. A selection of ongoing clinical studies is listed below.

Antibody-mediated thrombosis

Current research topics

Antibody-mediated thromboses are life-threatening complications observed in COVID-19, VITT, and HIT patients. In our research group, we investigate various antibody-mediated platelet subpopulations and whether, and how, they contribute to increased thrombus formation. Using flow cytometry and an ex vivo thrombosis model, which simulates human blood vessels, we can examine the biological relevance of different antibody-mediated platelet subpopulations in thrombus formation and develop therapeutic approaches for the prevention of thrombosis in COVID-19, VITT, and HIT.

Platelet in thromboinflammation

Current research topics

Using a broad range of in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo methods, we aim to dissect molecular mechanisms underlying dysregulated platelet function in patients presenting with systemic inflammation, especially during severe viral and bacterial sepsis, as well as in model system.

Head of the research group
Portrait

Dr. Nina Wolska

E-mail address: Nina.Wolska@med.uni-tuebingen.de

Certificates and Associations

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