Our heads of junior research groups at FAU

Dr. Heiko Bruns

Research topic: Macrophages as the first line of defence in leukaemia and lymphomas

In most tumour diseases, numerous macrophages (the feeding cells of the immune system) are in close proximity to the cancer cells. Although macrophages are theoretically able to recognise and eliminate tumour cells, they often no longer perform this task correctly. In our working group, we investigate which mechanisms macrophages use to detect and eliminate tumour cells, and whether these mechanisms are dysfunctional in the macrophages in the tumour, especially in lymphoma diseases. We are particularly interested in phagocytosis and the uptake of tumour cells. The long-term goal of our working group is to reactivate the macrophages in the tumour therapeutically for tumour control.

Dr. Silvia Budday

Research topic: Brain Mechanics Across Scales (BRAINIACS)

Our research deals with the mechanics of the brain. While mechanical aspects have been neglected for a long time in brain research, according to the latest findings, they play an important role in brain function. An exciting example is the distinctively folded structure of the human brain, which is essential for higher cognitive functions. We propose that mechanical forces contribute to the folds in the human brain, which originally has a smooth surface. By combining experimental methods, modelling and simulation, we are developing computer models to help diagnose diseases and optimise treatment methods.

Dr. Nadia Müller-Voggel

Research topic: From acute to chronic – in search of neurophysiological markers of tinnitus

How can our brain perceive a tone that is objectively undetectable? This issue is highly relevant to about 20% of our population suffering from chronic tinnitus. Perception is not an accurate representation of the surrounding environment, but an active process of our brain, with which we interpret our environment and which, in the case of tinnitus, can lead to phantom perception.  My Emmy Noether research group aims to find out which processes in the brain cause tinnitus to develop and become chronic. We are investigating this by recording activity at different stages of tinnitus development, at rest or while subjects perform tasks, during conditions such as drawing their attention to or away from the tinnitus or being in a positive versus negative emotional state. In this way, we hope to better understand which neural processes lead to the perception of a sound and how the unwanted perception of a phantom tone could be effectively treated.

Dr. Nadja Ray

Research topic: Multiscale modelling and analysis of porous media applications with evolving microstructures

Nadja Ray works in the field of applied mathematics. She is interested in multiscale modelling and porous media applications. She focuses predominantly on problems featuring evolving microstructures, e.g. due to chemical dissolution-precipitation reactions. Moreover, in one of her projects, she investigates factors of influencing the formation and turnover of soil microaggregates, and their impact on soil functions.

Dr. Elisabeth Bergherr

 

Research topic: Model-based approaches to data science – from Bayesian inference to statistical learning methods

Statistics and data science are becoming an increasingly important part of most areas of science. In my research group, we focus broadly on the development of methods that are versatile for analysis and prediction. In this process, we use different types of statistical modelling, including Bayesian inference and statistical learning methods, which represent a mixed approach of machine learning and traditional statistics. Here we attach particular importance to the interpretability and applicability of the models – what happens to variable A when different variables B, C, D,… change in a certain way, which of these influencing variables are needed at all to predict A and what is the uncertainty in this context. We then verify the models through simulation, but also apply them to research questions, mainly in the field of medicine.

Dr. Sebastian Zundler

Research topic: Influence of immune cell migration on mucosal wound healing and intestinal inflammation in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases

My research group deals with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. In these diseases, an interaction of environmental factors with genetic factors leads to an abnormal immune reaction in the intestine, which leads to recurrent inflammatory flare-up. It is not currently possible to cure the disease with medication. Our group is particularly interested in the migration of immune cells in the context of disease. These processes can already be successfully influenced using medicines, but they have not yet been sufficiently researched. Our group therefore hopes that our work will enable a more effective use of existing drugs with minimal risk of side effects and contribute to the development of new drugs in this field