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Theodoros Kapellos
Helmholtz Munich / Matthias Tunger

Dr. Theodoros Kapellos

Junior group leader, Institute for Lung Health and Immunity

"My group studies how immune cells contribute to the progression of obstructive airway diseases. We aim to identify druggable molecular pathways that ameliorate inflammatory responses and promote tissue regeneration."

"My group studies how immune cells contribute to the progression of obstructive airway diseases. We aim to identify druggable molecular pathways that ameliorate inflammatory responses and promote tissue regeneration."

Academic career and research areas

Dr. Kapellos obtained his bachelor’s degree in biology from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece with an orientation in molecular biology, genomics and genetics. In 2010, he moved to the United Kingdom and Imperial College London to be trained as an immunologist from where he graduated with Distinction.

One year later he began his DPhil studies at the University of Oxford and the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology where he studied the effects of lipophilic chemical compounds called cannabinoids on innate immune cell functions under inflammatory conditions using in vitro functional assays and in vivo models of disease. During his work, Dr. Kapellos discovered the anti-inflammatory role of cannabinoids which mediates through the regulation of neutrophil chemotaxis. His next stop was the University of Bonn in Germany where he conducted his postdoctoral work under the supervision of Prof. Joachim L. Schultze. He undertook pioneering research characterizing the myeloid cell compartment in the bronchoalveolar space and peripheral blood of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Furthermore, he collaborated with Prof. Christine S. Falk, a leader in transplantation immunology, as well as the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca on projects that compared the role of myeloid cells in the development of end-state lung diseases, such as emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension and lung cancer. At Helmholtz Zentrum München, Dr. Kapellos extends his work on the discovery of novel immunoregulatory pathways that can be harnessed to ameliorate tissue damage and promote epithelial regeneration in obstructive airway diseases, including COPD, bronchiectasis and asthma.

Skills

 Asthma Bioinformatics Immunology Respiratory Medicine  Non-cystic Fibrosis    Myeloid Cells Bronchiectasis COPD

Professional Background

Since 2022

Junior group leader at the Institute of Lung Health and Immunity, Helmholtz Munich

2021-2022

Senior scientist at the Institute of Lung Health and Immunity, Helmholtz Munich

2017-2021

Postdoctoral scientist at the University of Bonn, Germany

2012-2016

DPhil in Pathology at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom

Honors and Awards

  • 2023 - ERS short-term Fellowship

  • 2022 - ERS Geoffrey Laurent Award

  • 2017 – Full fellow of the Higher Education Academy of the UK

  • 2016 - MRC Supplementary Fund

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