Jennifer Marx is a postdoctoral scientist working on AAV-based gene therapy, with a focus on hearing loss. Her research includes AAV vector biology, capsid engineering, and the development of new approaches to improve gene delivery to the inner ear.

Inner Ear

Martin Bentler is a postdoctoral researcher with expertise in AAV immunology, vector host interactions and cancer immunotherapy. He develops strategies to mitigate anti-AAV immune responses and approaches to enhance tumor immunogenicity.

Cancer

Host Vector Interaction

Alaleh Rezalotfi is a postdoctoral researcher specializing in inner ear gene therapy. Her research focuses on using directed evolution to identify promising adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid candidates capable of targeting specific inner ear cell types, with the goal of improving gene delivery for the treatment of hearing loss.

Inner Ear

Jinbo Yu is a postdoctoral researcher studying AAV-based gene therapy for liver and kidney directed diseases. His project focuses on strategies for stable transgene expression in proliferating cells, capsid engineering and AAV peptide-display library selections to identify novel AAV variants for marginal liver and kidney donor organ reconditioning by ex vivo perfusion prior transplantation.

Liver

Angela Enrica Araujo is a PhD candidate aiming to develop novel approaches in immunotherapy. The focus of her PhD is the identification of AAV capsids variants that target T lymphocytes in vivo. Current applications are haematological and solid tumours and fibrotic diseases.

Hematopoietic system

Xabier Perez Garmendia is a PhD candidate working on the capsid modification of AAV vectors for gene therapy. Among his projects, he focuses on developing novel vectors for neuromuscular disorders within the MAGIC European consortium and on in vivo targeting of hematopoietic stem cells.

Muscle

Hematopoietic system

Evelyn Gebel is a PhD candidate in the HBRS Regenerative Sciences program, focusing on optimizing AAV vector targeting to the central nervous system and/or muscle by combining rational design and directed evolution approaches.

Muscle

Sreemoyee Das is a PhD candidate engaged in developing genetic and molecular strategies to enhance and refine AAV vector-based gene therapy for the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss.

Inner Ear

Annika Strauß is a PhD candidate interested in strategies to reduce the immune responses to AAV vectors used in gene therapy. Her project focuses on understanding and modulating immune responses to both the AAV capsid and the transgene.

Asma Kaleem is a PhD candidate with a focus on gene therapy-based tumor immunotherapies. Her project aims to explore and advance antigen-decorated adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors as a vaccine platform as potent anti-tumor vaccines.

Cancer

Andreas Schneider is a „homegrown“ laboratory technician, who graduated from the technician’s school of the Medical School Hannover in 2008. Since July 2022 he has been a member of the institute and is involved in various projects and general tasks. His main focuses are cell culture work and participation in animal experiments.

Nicole Dörpmund is a experienced laboratory technician who is involved in many projects of the group and general tasks of the institute and is always happy to help everyone.