RESEARCH PROJECTS
Our research projects are a compli(e)ment to the eye.
We investigate the molecular role of the complement system, part of the innate immune response, in eye diseases.
CELL-AUTONOMOUS COMPLEMENT IN iPSC-RPE CELLS
coming soon in Leipzig
Carola Sommer (Marburg)
Complement is not only active in blood, it also works inside cells. We use RPE cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) to study how intracellular or cell-derived complement, the so-called complosome, contributes to RPE maturation and function.
Funded by the Helmut Ecker Stiftung
CAMBio - Classification of Age-related Macular degeneration by Biomarkers
coming soon in Leipzig
Partner: Eye Clinic Marburg, Marburg, Künzel
and Anna Lena Jung (iLung Marburg)
By 2040, over 288 million people worldwide are projected to suffer from vision loss due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is a complex disease with various forms and underlying mechanisms, making treatment challenging. While maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding excessive sunlight, and taking dietary supplements are common recommendations, our study aims to go further by improving patient classification.
The CAMBio project analyzes biomarkers and immune markers in eye fluid samples from AMD patients and healthy individuals. The goal is to enable earlier diagnosis, better understand how the disease develops, and support monitoring treatments. These findings could pave the way for new therapies to address the challenges of AMD.
PHAGOCYTOSIS IN RPE CELLS
coming soon in Leipzig
Carola Sommer (Marburg)
Partner: Prof. Miriam Breunig, Heidelberg University (formerly University of Regensburg)
Every day, RPE cells clear away the used tips of our photoreceptors (photoreceptor outer segments, POS). To study this in the lab, we test lipid-coated microparticles from our partners and look at how RPE cells take them up. Our goal is a standardised tool that mimics the natural uptake of POS as closely as possible.
STRESS AND AGEING IN RPE CELLS
coming soon in Leipzig
AMD develops over decades. To mimic this in the lab, we expose RPE cells to oxidative stress, lipid stress and in vitro ageing. This lets us study how complement responds when the cells get older and more stressed.