Prof. Julia Esser-von Bieren, PhD
Helmholtz Young Investigator group leader, Institute of Allergy Research Munich, Innate Immunomodulation“The overall vision for my research is to make a difference for patients suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases such as asthma or nasal polyps. Using a combination of metabolomic and epigenetic analysis, patient samples and genetic models, we aim to target the inflammatory innate memory that we have found in these diseases.”
“The overall vision for my research is to make a difference for patients suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases such as asthma or nasal polyps. Using a combination of metabolomic and epigenetic analysis, patient samples and genetic models, we aim to target the inflammatory innate memory that we have found in these diseases.”
Academic Pathway & Research Area
Julia Esser-von Bieren received her PhD in Medical Sciences in 2011 from the Karolinska Institute (Stockholm, Sweden), where she started to work on lipid mediators (eicosanoids) in the context of allergy and inflammation. During her postdoc at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne with Prof. Nicola Harris (2011-2014) Julia investigated mechanisms of macrophage-mediated immunity against helminth parasites. In 2015, she joined the Center of Allergy & Environment (ZAUM) at the Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Center Munich as a junior group leader. Since 2018, Julia is leading the Helmholtz Young Investigator group “Innate Immunomodulation“. In 2022 Julia was recruited as an Associate Professor in Infection Immunology to the Department of Immunobiology.
Julia Esser-von Bieren performs research in the area of molecular medicine. Her group studies innate effector mechanisms of allergy, asthma and helminth infection. The team is particularly interested in uncovering the roles of eicosanoid lipid mediators and macrophages in type 2 immune responses in asthma, nasal polyposis and helminth infection. A particular focus is the identification and characterization of helminth molecules that regulate type 2 inflammatory diseases. As a second major aim, the team studies innate memory responses as a mechanism of chronic airway diseases. Ultimately, our team’s research is aimed at contributing to new therapeutic strategies to treat chronic airway inflammation.
Fields of Work and Expertise
AllergyInflammationType 2 ImmunityMacrophage BiologyParasite InfectionEicosanoids
Professional Background
Associate Professor, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
Helmholtz Young Investigator group leader, Helmholtz Center Munich
PhD in Medical Sciences, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
Honors and Awards
2022
Emerging Leader in Mucosal Immunology, Society for Mucosal Immunology2021
Henning Løwenstein Research Award Prize (International Allergy Research Prize)2020
DGAKI Award “New Immunological Therapies” (German Allergy Research Prize)
Private Facts
As a mother of two young children, I am passionate about promoting the reconciliation of family and a career in Science as well as gender equality in general.
Publications
Read more2022 Review in Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics
Molecular determination of insect venom allergies.
Networks and Affiliations
DFG Research Unit FOR2599
DFG SFB TRR 355