Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Markus Rehberg
Group Leader, Dynamics of Pulmonary Inflammation / Lung Intravital Microscopy, Institute of Lung Health and Immunity"I am particularly interested to understand the innate immune processes (“inflammatory response”) at the alveolar barrier after contact with environmental “challenges” (i.e. particles, viruses), which in the first place helps to maintain physiologic conditions, but eventually lead to (chronic) lung disease (“health to disease transition”)."
“I am particularly interested to understand the innate immune processes (“inflammatory response”) at the alveolar barrier after contact with environmental “challenges” (i.e. particles, viruses), which in the first place helps to maintain physiologic conditions, but eventually lead to (chronic) lung disease (“health to disease transition”)..”
Academic career and research areas
Markus Rehberg was trained as a molecular and cell biologist at the universitiy of Munich (Germany), where he obtained his doctoral (Dr. rer. nat.) degree. In his postdoc he specialized in advanced in vivo two-photon microscopy and started to work on nano-bio interactions and the innate immune system.
In 2012 he became independent research group leader at the Walter Brendel Centre of Experimental Medicine / University Hospital Munich, where he focused on the development of novel nanoagent-based research tools and therapeutic strategies for the treatment of inflammatory disease.
Joining Helmholtz-Center CPC/LHI in 2018, he became particularly interested in understanding the innate immune processes happening at the alveolar barrier after contact with exogenous challenges (incl. viruses and (nano)particles). This exposure triggers an inflammatory response, which in the first place helps to maintain physiologic conditions, but eventually leads to (chronic) lung disease (“health to disease transition”).
To investigate this, his group applies state of the art intravital microscopy (IVM) on the alveolar region of the murine lung in order to visualize and measure in real-time elements of the pulmonary immune response (as well as particle dynamics), under physiologic and pathophysiologic conditions in combination with ventilator-assisted nanoparticle aerosol inhalation. This rather unique approach enables them to study (sub-)cellular dynamic events, which were inaccessible up to now. The research will contribute to a deeper understanding of the initiation of lung inflammation and is utilized to assess novel therapeutic options.
M. Rehberg is member of the Center for NanoScience (CeNS) and PI in two EU funded projects:
The EU-project „BOW“ (https://www.bowproject.eu) aims to deveolp biomimetic nanocarriers for clinical translation (including inhalation therapy).
The EU-project „nanoPASS“ investigates early key events for predicting lung toxicity of nanomaterials.
Skills
Chronic Lung Diseases In vivo imaging Innate Immunity Nano-Bio Interactions Nanotoxicology