PNEUTHERA - Quantitative monitoring of tailored therapy against bacterial super-infection in viral pneumonia by spatiotemporal microscopy
In the PNEUTHERA project, a complex cell culture model of the lung (Alveolus-on-Chip) is investigated using high-resolution optical technologies and quantitative image data analysis in order to derive the optimal therapy conditions for the treatment of viral pneumonia with secondary bacterial infection. In view of the lack of antiviral substances and effective antibiotics, this disease represents a major health risk, especially in patients with a weakened immune system. In contrast to conventional diagnostics, the organ-on-chip model provides additional information on the composition of surface proteins, the structure of the cytoskeleton and the morphokinetics of immune cells. Building on previous knowledge from the BLOODi project (identification phase) these characteristics will be investigated for their potential as biomarkers for the personalization of therapy. From the very beginning, the project both aims to gain new insights in basic research in infection biology and optics, and plans the long-term implementation in diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Participating Scientists
Prof. Dr. Marc Thilo Figge
Project Coordinator
Leibniz-HKI • Applied Systems Biology
Prof. Dr. Christian Eggeling
Principal Investigator
Leibniz-IPHT • Biophysical Imaging
Prof. Dr. Christina Ehrhardt
Principal Investigator
JUH • Institute for Medical Microbiology • Experimental Virology
Dr. Alexander S. Mosig
Principal Investigator
JUH • Institute of Biochemistry