Helmholtz Munich

3d rendered medically accurate illustration of the bronchi

The research interest of our working group focus on the role of genetic, environmental and life-style factors including their interplay on lung health and function.

Click & View

About our Research

Our team aims to assess determinants of lung function during the period of lung growth and aging with respect to the development of lung diseases. Our projects identify genetic, environmental and life-style factors and investigate their complex interplay on lung health and function, particularly in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.

Lung function varies substantially between individuals throughout the life course and those with poor lung function are known to be at higher risk for lung diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Therefore, our aim is to elucidate mechanisms determining poor lung function and the transition from health to early stages of lung diseases.

The research group uses data and biosamples from the ongoing population-based cohort studies GINIplus, LISA, KORA and NAKO as well as the German COPD cohort study COSYCONET.

We contribute to research within the German Center for Lung Research and to international consortia such as SpiroMeta to facilitate large-scale GWAS of lung function.

Determinants of lung function

We aim to identify determinants of lung function, including genetic, environmental and life-style factors, during development, growth and age-related decline.

Sneakers, water, towel and earphones on the wooden background

Transition from health to disease

We further aim to investigate driving factors and biomarkers and to explore the role of comorbidities and life-style factors influencing the transition from health to disease in COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma.

Respiratory health and lung function in Germany

We aim to explore respiratory health and lung function in Germany based on data of the German National Cohort (NAKO).

German Center for Lung Research

Within the German Center for Lung Research, we aim to link clinical and epidemiological cohorts for a better understanding of COPD phenotypes.

The word copd written on a white notepad on a blue background near a stethoscope, syringe, electronic thermometer and pills. Medical concept

Dr. Marie Standl

Head of Research Group 'Allergic Disease Epidemiology', Head (ad interim) of Research Group 'Lung Epidemiology', Statistician View profile

Dr. Claudia Flexeder

Postdoc, Statistician

Claire Slesinski

Scientist

Dr. Stefan Karrasch

MD, Epidemiologist

View under a microscope, blood-red blood cells in a living body, 3d illustration.

Funded by DZL | 2021-2023

PBMC – Proteasome function as a Bio-Marker for COPD

The proteasome, a central enzymatic complex for degradation of intracellular proteins, is emerging as a new culprit in the pathogenesis and progression of COPD.

We will profile expression and activity of the proteasome in peripheral blood cells of COPD patients of the COSYCONET cohort and model them in comparison to KORA-derived population data to validate proteasome function as a biomarker for COPD.

2021-2023

DZL 3.0

The German Center for Lung Research is an association of the leading university and non-university institutions dedicated to lung research in Germany. Using translational research methods, the DZL seeks to jointly develop new approaches for the prevention, diagnosis and therapy of serious lung diseases.

Our research is embedded into the Disease Areas COPD and Asthma and Allergies of the DZL.

Logo Deutsches Zentrum für Lungenforschung DZL

See all

2022 Allergy

Karlina R, Flexeder C, Musiol S, [...] Nano J, Schloter M, Peters A, Schulz H, Schmidt-Weber CB, Standl M, Traidl-Hoffmann C, Alessandrini F, Ussar S.

Differential effects of lung inflammation on insulin resistance in humans and mice

2022 Eur Respir J

Kammerl IE, Hardy S, Flexeder C, [...], Schulz H, Meiners S.

Activation of immune cell proteasomes in peripheral blood of smokers and COPD patients: implications for therapy

2021 Cells

Kammerl IE, Flexeder C, Karrasch S, Thorand B, Heier M, Peters A, Schulz H, Meiners S.

Blood immunoproteasome activitiy is regulated by sex, age and in chronic inflammatory diseases: a first population-based study

2020 Bundesgesundheitsbl

Karrasch S, Peters A, Meisinger C, Ferland M, [...] Leitzmann M, Brenner H, Holleczek B, Schulz H

Lung function in the German National Cohort: methods and initial results

2020 Sleep Med

Negele L, Flexeder C, Koletzko S, Bauer CP, von Berg A, Berdel D, Schikowski T, Standl M, Peters A, Schulz H.

Association between objectively assessed physical activity and sleep quality in adolescence: results from the GINIplus and LISA studies

2019 Nat Genet

Shrine N, Guyatt AL, [...], Karrasch S, [...], Schulz H, [...], Strachan DP, Hall IP, Tobin MD, Wain LV.

New genetic signals for lung function highlight pathways and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associations across multiple ancestries

2019 Metabolites

Yu B, Flexeder C, McGarrah RW, Wyss A, Morrison AC, North KE, Boerwinkle E, Kastenmüller G, Gieger C, Suhre K, Karrasch S, Peters A, Wagner GR, Michelotti GA, Mohney RP, Schulz H, London SJ.

Metabolomics identifies novel blood biomarkers of pulmonary function and COPD in the general population

Lung Epidemiology

Click & View

About our Research

Research Topics

Determinants of lung function

Transition from health to disease

Respiratory health and lung function in Germany

German Center for Lung Research

People at Lung Epidemiology

Dr. Marie Standl

Dr. Claudia Flexeder

Claire Slesinski

Dr. Stefan Karrasch

Our Projects

PBMC – Proteasome function as a Bio-Marker for COPD

DZL 3.0

Highlight Publications

Cooperations

DZL - German Center for Lung Research

CPC - Comprehensive Pneumology Center

German National Cohort

Contact Head (ad interim)

Dr. Marie Standl

Privacy settings