March 2025

Sometimes we need a break and what could be more fun than an evening bowling? 

A groundbreaking study reveals a novel approach to treating sepsis-induced liver failure using nanocarrier-targeted delivery of a PI3Kγ inhibitor. Researchers engineered DY-635-functionalized liposomes to deliver AS605240 to hepatocytes via organic anion transporters selectively. This targeted strategy restored biliary canalicular architecture and excretory liver function while preserving immune defenses. The approach improved survival rates by 40% compared to untreated controls and avoided off-target effects on immune cells. By focusing on hepatocytes, the method mitigates cholestasis and inflammation without compromising immune responses, marking a significant advancement in sepsis care. This innovation opens new possibilities for precision nanomedicines in treating systemic inflammatory diseases and organ-specific dysfunction in critical illnesses.

This year our team wasvisting the Center for Applied Sciences of the Friedrich Schiller University. We were moving out from our universty hospital to bring translation to the world of basic sciences. With our collegues from the www.ATHANA.net and industry partners, we projected translation from nanoformulation to medical use cases.

It was soooo hot those days! We found some inspiration and ideas those days for the new year. Let’s take it on!

We’re thrilled to celebrate the outstanding work of Ling, the first author of a recent study that sheds new light on managing sepsis. Sepsis, a life-threatening condition resulting from a poorly regulated infection response, often involves liver dysfunction, which can significantly weaken the immune system. This research identifies protein kinase C-α (PKCα) as a crucial target for improving liver function during sepsis. By using PKCα inhibitors like midostaurin, the study demonstrates a significant boost in survival rates without compromising the immune response. This breakthrough opens promising avenues for novel therapies in sepsis treatment. Congratulations, Ling, on this impactful contribution to medical science!

October 2024

Congratulations Ling for your graduation. Now it is Ph.D.!

Have a safe journey home and much success for your next endevours.

April 2024

Jessica’s most recent study published in Cell Death & Disease reveals a crucial mechanism by which hepatocytes protect themselves from bile acid-induced inflammation and necroptosis. Researchers found that DNA methylation suppresses the expression of RIPK3, a key protein involved in necroptosis, in human hepatocytes. This protective mechanism is vital in preventing cell death and inflammation in liver diseases associated with cholestasis. The study highlights the potential of RIPK3 regulation as a therapeutic target for managing chronic liver conditions.

We’re excited to share that our ATHANA delegation recently met in Magdeburg with RUBIN projects from across Germany. This gathering provided a valuable opportunity to discuss current challenges and opportunities in the field. The Nano.Infect team actively participated, sharing their biomedical insights and connecting with industry partners and program organizers. This collaboration fosters innovation and strengthens our collective efforts in advancing anti-infective nanotechnologies.

A decent winter break from the lab palying games in Jena.

Our team shared some of our current topics, ideas, and work at the Weimar Sepsis Update 2023. Congratulations to their well-recognized work on sepsis nanomedicine and molecular pathomechanism.

On July 26, all eight partners met to officially kick off the ATHANA project within the BMBF and LEG-funded RUBIN alliance. Over the next three years, ATHANA aims to save lives with innovative therapeutics and establish the region as a European hub for anti-infective nanotechnologies. The Nano.Infect Team at Jena University Hospital looks forward to translational research with our innovative partners. Together, we’re shaping the future of infection treatment!

Welcome to the team Jessica! It was amazing seeing you teaching – what a great start and impressive interactive lecture!

It is the best opportunity to gather and think without leaving the fun behind. Think beyond research! It became a valuable tradition to focus on those two days per year in Autumn on us as a team: our strengths and our weaknesses. To talk about all and everything. To enjoy and learn about and from each other. It is an experience that continuously helps us adopt our needs and wishes. 

Irina Muljajew and Sophie Huschke published their joint work on nanomaterials and their structural alteration to obtain stealth short polyoxazolines in Graft Copolymers, where they discovered that already minor changes of the backbone end group determine liver cell-type specificity!

Read more… 

A study reveals distinct liver responses to bacterial and fungal infections, offering insights for sepsis treatment. Using murine models, researchers found that both types of infections suppress lipid catabolism and bile acid synthesis within 6 hours, but bacterial infections lead to unconjugated bile acid accumulation and secretion defects, while fungal infections result in conjugated bile acid buildup and reduced hepatic uptake. Advanced analyses identified early cholestasis patterns tied to lipid metabolism disruptions. These findings suggest targeted metabolomics could differentiate pathogens early, enabling tailored therapies to restore liver function and improve outcomes for critically ill patients.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30083258/