What is your research focus?
In basic research, I investigate the interplay between platelets, coagulation and inflammatory cells. We were able to show that neutrophils, which are immune cells, also strongly intervene in coagulation. We hope for new approaches for the treatment of heart attack and stroke, which are caused by blood clots in the vessels.
What is translation for you?
I need to have the opportunity to test my research results, from which the patient should someday benefit from, in clinical trials. One successful example where we were able to achieve this, is the active ingredient Revacept. Revacept is a novel antiplatelet drug that works only in injured vascular walls. We are conducting a clinical study that investigates whether Revacept can replace other blood thinners in cardiac catheterization. This would significantly reduce the risk of bleeding elsewhere in the body.
What do you see as a focus for your work on the board?
In my opinion, the DZHK is currently the most important funding opportunity for clinical trials in Germany. Here, we have been building a common study culture. I would like to see to it that we think even more strategically in which areas we consider clinical research to be necessary and successful. I also believe that in clinical research we can pool our resources even more by, for example, setting up a central DZHK study center at each partner site, which would then be responsible for clinical studies at the partner site.
This might interest you, too:
Prof. Dr. Steffen Massberg wins prestigious ERC Advanced Grant (2019/03/29)
DZHK partner site Munich receives Leducq funding for atherosclerosis research (2018/08/14)