Dr. Emilio Valdivia – Lachmann Research Group (Clinical Department of Paediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology)

We develop scalable technologies for the generation, preservation, and application of human immune cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Our research combines translational stem cell biology, hematopoietic development, organoid technology, and cryobiology to engineer renewable platforms for immune cell manufacturing. We have established hematopoietic organoids that recapitulate key stages of embryonic blood development and serve as a source of functional immune cells. A major focus is the development of Cryonoids, cryopreserved hematopoietic organoids that function as a bankable intermediate for on-demand immune cell production. By preserving organoid viability, architecture, and hematopoietic potential after thawing, Cryonoids enable standardized, scalable, and distributed manufacturing. To understand and optimize hematopoietic differentiation, we integrate single-cell transcriptomics, spatial sequencing, flow cytometry, advanced imaging, and molecular profiling to investigate lineage specification and endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition. Our goal is to accelerate the development of globally accessible, off-the-shelf immune cell therapies for regenerative medicine and immunotherapy.