Walentek LabDepartment of Medicine IV

Salina Bauer

Education/Positions:
2024-  : MD student, Walentek lab, University Clinic Freiburg & Motivate-Fellow University Freiburg, Germany
2023: First section of medical exam accomplished
2020- to date: Medical School, University Freiburg, Germany
2019: FSJ, Oberschwaben-Klink, Wangen, Germany
 

salina.bauer[at]uniklinik-freiburg.de

Sarah Bowden

Education/Positions:
2020- to date: PhD student, Walentek lab, University Clinic Freiburg & Centre for Biological Signalling Studies & International Max Planck Research School for Immunology, Epigenetics and Metabolism, Germany
2015-2019: MSc - Genetics, University of Otago, New Zealand
2012-2014: BSc - Genetics, University of Otago, New Zealand

bowden[at]ie-freiburg.mpg.de

Publications:
Bowden, Brislinger-Engelhardt, Hansen et al. 2024, Foxi1 regulates multiple steps of mucociliary development and ionocyte specification through transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms. Biorxiv
Ajithkumar et al. 2024, DNA Methylome and Transcriptome Maps of Primary Colorectal Cancer and Matched Liver Metastasis. Data
Brislinger-Engelhardt et al. 2023, Temporal Notch signaling regulates mucociliary cell fates through Hes-mediated competitive de-repression. BioRxiv
Rodger et al. 2023, An epigenetic signature of advanced colorectal cancer metastasis. iScience
Bowden et al. 2021, Recent Discoveries in Epigenetic Modifications of Polycystic Kidney Disease. Int J Mol Sci.
Bowden et al. 2020, Extensive Inter-Cyst DNA Methylation Variation in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease Revealed by Genome Scale Sequencing. Front. Genet.
Bowden et al. 2018, Genome-Scale Single Nucleotide Resolution Analysis of DNA Methylation in Human Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease. Am J Nephrol.

Magdalena Brislinger-Engelhardt

Education/Positions:
2018- to date: PhD student, Walentek lab, University Clinic Freiburg, Centre for Biological Signalling Studies & Spemann Graduate School for Biology and Medicine, Germany
2015-2018: MSc - Biology, University of Hohenheim, Germany
2017: Research internship, Harland lab, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, UC Berkeley, USA
2012-2015: BSc - Biology, University of Hohenheim, Germany

magdalena.brislinger[at]medizin.uni-freiburg.de

Publications:
Berns et al. 2024, A homozygous human WNT11 loss-of-function variant associated with laterality, heart and renal defects. Biorxiv
Bowden, Brislinger-Engelhardt, Hansen et al. 2024, Foxi1 regulates multiple steps of mucociliary development and ionocyte specification through transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms. Biorxiv
Brislinger-Engelhardt and Walentek 2024, Multiciliogenesis: Tricking the cell-cycle machinery to build hundreds of cilia. Curr. Biol.
Brislinger-Engelhardt et al. 2023, Temporal Notch signaling regulates mucociliary cell fates through Hes-mediated competitive de-repression. BioRxiv
Beckers et al. 2021, The highly conserved FOXJ1 target CFAP161 is dispensable for motile ciliary function in mouse and Xenopus. Sci Rep
Tasca et al. 2021, Notch signaling induces either apoptosis or cell fate change in multiciliated cells during mucociliary tissue remodeling. Dev Cell
Haas et al. 2019, ΔN-Tp63 Mediates Wnt/β-Catenin-Induced Inhibition of Differentiation in Basal Stem Cells of Mucociliary Epithelia. Cell Rep.

Mona Hansen

Education/Positions:
2023- to date: PhD student, Walentek lab, University Clinic Freiburg, Germany
2020-2022: MSc - Biochemistry and Biophysics, University Freiburg, Germany
2019-2021: Research assistant, Fraunhofer-Institute for Mechanics of Materials, Freiburg, Germany
2016-2020: BSc - Chemistry and Economics, University of Freiburg, Germany
2014-2023: Assistant, Orthopädische Klinik Markgröningen RKH, Garmany

mona.hansen[at]medizin.uni-freiburg.de

Publications:
Bowden, Brislinger-Engelhardt, Hansen et al. 2024, Foxi1 regulates multiple steps of mucociliary development and ionocyte specification through transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms. Biorxiv
Brislinger-Engelhardt et al. 2023, Temporal Notch signaling regulates mucociliary cell fates through Hes-mediated competitive de-repression. BioRxiv

Sandra Hägele

Education/Positions:
2024- to date: PhD student, Walentek lab, University Clinic Freiburg, Germany
2021-2024: MSc - Biology, University Freiburg, Germany
2021-2024: Undergraduate research - Virology and Nephrology, University Clinic Freiburg, Germany
2015-2021: BSc - Biomedical Sciences, Reutlingen University/University Ulm, Germany

sandra.louisa.haegele[at]uniklinik-freiburg.de

Publications:
Bowden, Brislinger-Engelhardt, Hansen et al. 2024, Foxi1 regulates multiple steps of mucociliary development and ionocyte specification through transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms. Biorxiv

Dipl. Chem.-Ing./TUT Suzana Schefold

Education/Positions:
2018- to date: Lab Manager / MTA, University Clinic Freiburg & ZBSA, Germany
2014-2018: MTA, University Clinic Freiburg, Germany
2010-2014: MTA, University of Freiburg & ZBSA/BIOSS, Germany
2007-2009: TA, University of Bremen, Germany
2002-2007: MTA, University Clinic Freiburg, Germany
1986-1994: Diplom Chem.-Ing., Technical University Temeschburg, Romania

suzana.schefold[at]uniklinik-freiburg.de

África Temporal Plo

Education/Positions:
2022-to date: PhD student, Walentek lab, University Clinic Freiburg & International Max Planck Research School for Immunology, Epigenetics and Metabolism, Germany
2021-2022: MSc Thesis Project, Diz-Muñoz group, EMBL Heidelberg, Germany
2019-2022: MSc - Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Heidelberg, Germany
2015-2019: BSc - Biotechnology, University of Zaragoza, Spain

temporal-plo[at]ie-freiburg.mpg.de

Publications:
Bowden, Brislinger-Engelhardt, Hansen et al. 2024, Foxi1 regulates multiple steps of mucociliary development and ionocyte specification through transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms. Biorxiv

Dr. rer. nat. Peter Walentek

Education/Positions:
2024-       : PI / Heisenberg Fellow, University Clinic Freiburg & IMITATE, Germany
2017-2023: PI / Emmy-Noether Group leader, University Clinic Freiburg & IMITATE (until end of 2021 at ZBSA), Germany
2016-2017: NIH-K99 PI, Harland Lab, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, UC Berkeley, USA
2012-2015: Postdoctoral Fellow, Harland Lab, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, UC Berkeley, USA
2008-2012: PhD Student, Blum Lab, Institute of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, Germany
2001-2007: Diplom Biologie (=BSc+MSc), University of Hohenheim, Germany
2006: Undergraduate Researcher, Levin Lab, Forsyth Institute/Harvard University, USA

peter.walentek[at]medizin.uni-freiburg.de

ORCID: 0000-0002-2332-6068

Additional affiliations:
CIBSS - Centre for Biological Signalling Studies
NephGen - NephroGenetics SFB1453
Cilia Dynamics - FOR5547

SGBM - Spemann Graduate School for Biology and Medicine
IMPRS-IEM - International Max Planck Research School for Immunology, Epigenetics and Metabolism
MOTIVATE - Molecular and Translational MD program

Publications

Damian Weber

Education/Positions:
2024-to date: PhD student, Walentek lab, University Clinic Freiburg, Germany
2022-2024: Undergraduate research - Neuropathology & Nephrology, University Clinic Freiburg, Germany
2021-2024: MSc - Biology, University Freiburg, Germany
2017-2021: BSc - Biology, University Freiburg, Germany

damian.benedikt.weber[at]uniklinik-freiburg.de

Publications:
Bowden, Brislinger-Engelhardt, Hansen et al. 2024, Foxi1 regulates multiple steps of mucociliary development and ionocyte specification through transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms. Biorxiv
Saller et al. 2024, Acute suppression of mitochondrial ATP production prevents apoptosis and provides an essential signal for NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Immunity 

Henrike Berns

Education/Positions:
2022-2023: MD student, Walentek lab, University Clinic Freiburg & Motivate-Fellow University Freiburg, Germany
2020: First section of medical exam accomplished
2018- to date: Medical School, University Freiburg, Germany
2015-2018: Ardingly College, West Sussex, UK
2012-2015: Int. School Bangalore, India

henrike.berns[at]uniklinik-freiburg.de

Publications:
Berns et al. 2024, A homozygous human WNT11 loss-of-function variant associated with laterality, heart and renal defects. Biorxiv

Dr. scient. med./PhD Silvia Groiss

Education/Positions:
2024- : Industry, Germany
2022-2024: Postdoc, Walentek lab, University Clinic Freiburg, Germany
2018-2021: PhD student, Medical University of Graz, Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Graz, Austria
2020-2021: Research associate at diagnostic & research institute of Pathology, Medical University Graz, Austria
2015-2016: MSc thesis work - Panne lab, EMBL Grenoble, France
2014-2017: MSc - Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Karl-Franzens University Graz and Technical University Graz, Austria
2014: Research internship - Vinayagamt lab, Manipal Institute of Technology, India
2011-2014: BSc - Molecular Biosciences, Paris-Londron University Salzburg and Johannes-Kepler-University Linz, Austria

silvia.groiss[at]uniklinik-freiburg.de

Publications:
Groiss et al. 2023, Bei Mu Gua Lou San facilitates mucus expectoration by increasing surface area and hydration levels of airway mucus in an air-liquid-interface cell culture model of the respiratory epithelium. BMC Comp. Med. Therapies
Loibner et al. 2022, Resilience and Protection of Health Care and Research Laboratory Workers During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: Analysis and Case Study From an Austrian High Security Laboratory. Front. Psychol.
Groiss et al. 2021, Highly resolved spatial transcriptomics for detection of rare events in cells. BioRxiv
Groiss et al. 2021, Quantification of increased MUC5AC expression in airway mucus of smoker using an automated image-based approach. Microsc. Res. Tech.
Groiss et al. 2021, Anti-Oxidative and Immune Regulatory Responses of THP-1 and PBMC to Pulsed EMF Are Field-Strength Dependent. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health
Fuchs et al. 2021, Automated Quantitative Image Evaluation of Antigen Retrieval Methods for 17 Antibodies in Placentation and Implantation Diagnostic and Research. Microscopy and Microanalysis
Rengachari et al. 2018, Structural basis of STAT2 recognition by IRF9 reveals molecular insights into ISGF3 function. PNAS
Groiss et al. 2016, Structural characterization, antibacterial and catalytic effect of iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized using the leaf extract of Cynometra ramiflora. Journal of Molecular Structure

Maximilian Haas

Education/Positions:
2024-       : Genetic diagnostics, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Germany
2018-2023: PhD student, Walentek lab, University Clinic Freiburg & Spemann Graduate School for Biology and Medicine, Germany
2016: ERASMUS research stay, Folgueira and Mayan labs, University of A Coruna, Spain
2014-2017: MSc - Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Freiburg, Germany
2011-2014: BSc - Biology, University of Konstanz, Germany

maximilian.haas[at]medizin.uni-freiburg.de

Publications:
Berns et al. 2024, A homozygous human WNT11 loss-of-function variant associated with laterality, heart and renal defects. Biorxiv
Brislinger-Engelhardt et al. 2023, Temporal Notch signaling regulates mucociliary cell fates through Hes-mediated competitive de-repression. BioRxiv
Tasca et al. 2021, Notch signaling induces either apoptosis or cell fate change in multiciliated cells during mucociliary tissue remodeling. Dev Cell
Haas et al. 2019, ΔN-Tp63 Mediates Wnt/β-Catenin-Induced Inhibition of Differentiation in Basal Stem Cells of Mucociliary Epithelia. Cell Rep.
Sun et al. 2018, Na+/H+ Exchangers Are Required for the Development and Function of Vertebrate Mucociliary Epithelia. Cells Tissues Organs

Dr. rer. nat. Charlotte Softley

Education/Positions:
2024-       : PI/Lecturer in Pharmacology, Keele University, UK
2021-2023: Postdoc, Walentek lab, University Clinic Freiburg, Germany
2016-2020: PhD student, Sattler lab, Bavarian NMR Centre, Technical University Munich, and Popowicz lab, Helmholtz Centre for Health and the Environment, Munich, Germany
2015-2016: MSc - Natural Sciences, Klenerman group, Biophysical Chemistry, University of Cambridge, UK
2015: Research internship - Analytical Forensic Chemistry, University of Lisbon, Portugal
2014: Research internship - Vermot lab, Institute for Genetics and Cellular and Molecular Biology, Illkirch, France
2012-2015: BSc - Natural Sciences, University of Cambridge, UK

charlotte.softley[at]medizin.uni-freiburg.de

Publications:
Napolitano et al. 2022, Structure-based design, synthesis and evaluation of a novel family of PEX5-PEX14 interaction inhibitors against Trypanosoma Eu J. of Medicinal Chemistry
Napolitano et al. 2022, Small molecule mediated inhibition of protein cargo recognition by peroxisomal transport receptor PEX5 is toxic to Trypanosoma Scientific Reports
Nguyen et al. 2022, 19F-NMR Unveils the Ligand-Induced Conformation of a Catalytically Inactive Twisted Homodimer of tRNA-Guanine Transglycosylase. ACS Chem Biol.
Fino et al. 2021, Computer-Aided Design and Synthesis of a New Class of PEX14 Inhibitors: Substituted 2,3,4,5-Tetrahydrobenzo[F][1,4]oxazepines as Potential New Trypanocidal Agents. Chem Inf Model.
Softley et al. 2020, Structure and molecular recognition mechanism of IMP-13 β-lactamase. Antimicrob Agents Chemother
Softley et al. 2020, Paramagnetic NMR in Drug Discovery. J. Biomol NMR
Zaucha, Softley et al. 2020, Deep learning model predicts water binding sites on the surface of proteins using limited-resolution data. RSC ChemComm
Denis et al. 2020, The photo-catalysed thiol-ene reaction: a new tag to yield fast, selective and irreversible paramagnetic tagging of proteins. Chemphyschem.
Fino et al. 2020, Introducing the CSP Analyzer: a novel machine learning-based application for automatic analysis of bidimensional NMR data in fragment-based NMR screening. Comput Struct Biotechnol J
Solbak et al. 2020, Developing inhibitors of the P47phox-p22phox protein-protein interaction by fragment-based drug discovery. J Med Chem
Ranasinghe et al. 2018, Detecting RNA base methylations in single cells by in situ hybridisation. Nat Commun

Alexia Tasca

Education/Positions:
2024-       : Industry, France
2023-2024: Postdoc, Lüders lab, IRB, Barcelona, Spain
2017-2022: PhD student, Walentek lab, University Clinic Freiburg, Germany
2015-2017: MSc - Genes, Cells and Development, University Paul Sabatier, France
2013-2015: Licence in Biology - Cellular Biology and Physiology, University Paul Sabatier, France

alexia.tasca[at]medizin.uni-freiburg.de

Publications:
Brislinger-Engelhardt et al. 2023, Temporal Notch signaling regulates mucociliary cell fates through Hes-mediated competitive de-repression. BioRxiv
Tasca et al. 2021, Notch signaling induces either apoptosis or cell fate change in multiciliated cells during mucociliary tissue remodeling. Dev Cell
Haas et al. 2019, ΔN-Tp63 Mediates Wnt/β-Catenin-Induced Inhibition of Differentiation in Basal Stem Cells of Mucociliary Epithelia. Cell Rep.
Sun et al. 2018, Na+/H+ Exchangers Are Required for the Development and Function of Vertebrate Mucociliary Epithelia. Cells Tissues Organs