Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Simon Blank
Principal Investigator at Institute of Allergy Research – Molecular & Translational Allergology“Our work focuses on developing novel approaches for effective allergen-specific immunotherapy to combat the burden of allergic disease and on the identification and characterization of allergens for advanced allergy diagnostics.”
“Our work focuses on developing novel approaches for effective allergen-specific immunotherapy to combat the burden of allergic disease and on the identification and characterization of allergens for advanced allergy diagnostics.”
Academic Pathway & Research Area
Simon Blank studied biology with a focus on biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Hamburg. He obtained the degree of Dr. rer nat. in 2009 at the Department of Chemistry of the University of Hamburg where he focused on the investigation of allergic molecules and their use in diagnostics and therapy of insect venom allergy in the lab of. Prof. Dr. Reinhard Bredehorst. Afterward, Simon had the chance to work independently as a postdoc doc in the field of antibody-allergen-interactions at the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the context of the young researchers initiative of the University of Hamburg for the promotion of highly-qualified young scientists. In addition, during his time at the University of Hamburg, Simon was involved in university spin-offs that developed new concepts for allergen-specific immunotherapy and made novel component-resolved diagnostics for insect venom allergy available for the clinic. In 2013, he joined the Institute of Allergy Research at Helmholtz Munich, where he became the principal investigator of the Molecular & Translational Allergology group. In 2017, Simon achieved his Habilitation in Experimental Medicine at the Technical University of Munich's Faculty of Medicine, qualifying him to teach in higher education. By 2023, he had advanced to the position of Associate Professor in Experimental Medicine at the same faculty.
The Blank lab combines recombinant allergens with the analysis of immunological tolerance in humans as well as in various models of experimental allergen-specific immunotherapy. The group aims to gain new insights into the mechanisms of immunotherapy and the allergen-immune system interaction. An important topic of the group is to translate the knowledge gained into new immunomodulatory and adjuvant approaches, new biomarkers, and the further improvement of diagnostics and to bring these new concepts directly into the clinic.
Fields of Work and Expertise
Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy Allergy Diagnostics Recombinant Allergens Immunological ToleranceHymenoptera Venom Allergy Experimental Immunotherapy Immunomodulation mRNA-based Immunotherapy Vaccines
Professional Background
2023
Associate Professor in "Experimental Medicine" at the School of Medicine & Health, Technical University of Munich2016
Habilitation in “Experimental Medicine” at the Faculty of Medicine, Technical University of MunichSince 2013
Principal Investigator Molecular & Translational Allergology Group at Helmholtz Munich2010-2013
Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg2010-2013
Lab Head at the PLS-Design GmbH, Hamburg2005-2009
Ph.D. student, Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg
Honors and Awards
Since 2023
Editorial Board Memberr at Scientific ReportsSince 2022
Board member of the Interest Group Allergy Diagnosis & Systems Medicine of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI)Since 2020
Associate Editor at Toxins and Frontiers in AllergySince 2017
Member of the Immunology & Inflammation Initiative of the Helmholtz Association2012
Independent senior researcher in the context of the young researchers initiative of the University of Hamburg for the promotion of highly-qualified young scientists
Networks and Affiliations
