Regeneration and organ replacement
Severe, end-stage lung diseases are associated with a significant loss of lung function and can be life-threatening despite modern treatments. When drug-based or supportive treatments are no longer sufficient, a lung transplant is the only remaining treatment option for some patients. At the same time, the supply of donor organs is limited, and many patients do not reach the stage of transplantation or are limited in the long term by complications. Against this backdrop, research into regenerative processes and alternative organ replacement strategies is becoming increasingly important. The aim is to better understand damaged lung tissue, promote its regenerative capacity and develop new therapeutic options in the long term. In the BREATH research network, scientists are investigating the biological basis of lung damage, repair and regeneration.
Research in Regeneration and organ replacement
A key focus is on the study of stem and progenitor cells, cellular repair mechanisms, and communication between different cell types in lung tissue. These processes are crucial in determining whether the lungs can recover from severe damage or whether there is a progressive loss of function. As the largest transplant centre in the Eurotransplant region, Hannover Medical School is a key clinical partner and possesses particular expertise in lung transplantation in children.
In addition, BREATH is researching innovative approaches to organ replacement, including the optimisation of lung transplants, new strategies for the preservation and processing of marginal (suboptimal) donor organs, and experimental models for the development of bioartificial lung structures. Research projects are also investigating how regenerative processes can be therapeutically influenced and how transplanted organs can be protected in the long term. Through the close integration of basic research, clinical practice and technology, BREATH is helping to open up new prospects for patients with advanced lung diseases.
Carlens, Julia PD Dr.
Paed. Pneumolgy – MHH
Cicin-Sain, Luka Prof. Dr.
CiiM – HZI Brunswick
de Zwaan, Martina Prof. Dr.
Department for Psychosomatic Medicine – MHH
Falk, Christine Prof. Dr.
Institute of Transplant Immunology – MHH
Goecke, Tobias PD Dr.
Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery – MHH
Gottlieb, Jens Prof. Dr.
Department of Pneumology and Infectious Disease – MHH
Greer, Mark PD Dr.
Department of Pneumology and Infectious Disease – MHH
Heisterkamp, Alexander Prof. Dr.
Institute for Quantum Optics – LUH
Hoeper, Marius Prof. Dr.
Department of Pneumology and Infectious Disease – MHH
Ius, Fabio PD Dr.
Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery – MHH
Janciauskiene, Sabina Prof. Dr.
Department of Pneumology and Infectious Disease – MHH
Kamp, Jan-Christopher PD Dr.
Department of Pneumology and Infectious Disease – MHH
Kühn, Christian Prof. Dr.
Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery – MHH
Lachmann, Nico Prof. Dr.
Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology – MHH
Lingner, Heidrun PD Dr.
Center for Public Health Care – MHH
Martin, Ulrich Prof. Dr.
Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs – MHH
Maus, Ulrich A. Prof. Dr.
Experimental Pneumology, Department of Pneumology and Infectious Disease – MHH
Merkert, Sylvia Dr.
Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs – MHH
Nakagiri. Tomoyuki PD Dr.
Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery – MHH
Neubert, Lavinia PD Dr.
Institute for Pathology – MHH
Nöhre, Mariel PD Dr.
Psychosomatic Medicine – MHH
Noyan, Fatih, PD Dr.
Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology – MHH
Olmer, Ruth Dr.
Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs – MHH
Pflaum, Michael Dr.
Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs – MHH
Rademacher, Jessica Prof. Dr.
Department of Pneumology and Infectious Disease – MHH
Ramm, Robert Dr.
Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery – MHH
Ringshausen, Felix C. Prof. Dr.
Department of Pneumology and Infectious Disease – MHH
Ruhparwar, Arjang Prof. Dr.
Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery – MHH
Salman, Jawad PD Dr.
Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery – MHH
Schupp, Joans C. Prof. Dr.
Department of Pneumology and Infectious Disease – MHH
Thum, Thomas Prof. Dr.
Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies – MHH
Voss, Carola Dr.
Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs – MHH
Wiegmann, Bettina PD Dr.
Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery – MHH
Zardo, Patrick PD Dr.
Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery – MHH
