Our research
Our research focus lies on the interactions between lung microbes and the host, and how pathogenic mechanisms may be modulated by commensal microbes in different clinical settings. This will be addressed at different levels: from complex lung-on-chip models and precise tools for specific receptor-ligand interactions, to its validation in clinical studies in different pathological settings. The identification of bacterial commensals with modulatory roles in the immune response and defense against invading pathogens will be used as keystone for the exploration of therapeutic and probiotic applications
The group "Dynamics of Respiratory Infections" was established as hybrid group between the HZI and the Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases of the Hannover Medical School (MHH), to serve as bridge between clinical and basic research. In this role, our research will focus on mechanisms with a translational potential for different pulmonary infectious diseases.
Our research
Our research focus lies on the interactions between lung microbes and the host, and how pathogenic mechanisms may be modulated by commensal microbes in different clinical settings. This will be addressed at different levels: from complex lung-on-chip models and precise tools for specific receptor-ligand interactions, to its validation in clinical studies in different pathological settings. The identification of bacterial commensals with modulatory roles in the immune response and defense against invading pathogens will be used as keystone for the exploration of therapeutic and probiotic applications
The group "Dynamics of Respiratory Infections" was established as hybrid group between the HZI and the Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases of the Hannover Medical School (MHH), to serve as bridge between clinical and basic research. In this role, our research will focus on mechanisms with a translational potential for different pulmonary infectious diseases.
Prof Dr med Hortense Slevogt
A better understanding of the host-microbe interactions in the lung may help us to develop novel therapeutic strategies for a variety of respiratory infections.
Prof Dr med Hortense Slevogt has established herself as a distinguished researcher and physician in the fields of respiratory infections and immunology. Her academic journey began with a degree in medicine at Freie Universität Berlin, during which she developed a particular interest in infectious diseases and their impact on respiratory health. Driven by her passion for understanding the intricate workings of the human immune system, she pursued further specialization in Internal Medicine and Pulmonology, becoming a recognized expert in the field.
In 2009, Prof Slevogt's achievements were acknowledged through the completion of her habilitation in Internal Medicine at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin. This significant milestone marked her expertise and profound understanding of the intricate nature of severe infections. A few years later, in 2011, Prof. Slevogt assumed the leadership of the Host Septomics Group at Universitätsklinikum Jena.
In 2022, she obtained the W3-Professorship at Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH) and became the Head of the Research Group "Respiratory Infection Dynamics" (DINF) at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig. Her role entails spearheading translational projects that involve collaborations with esteemed academic and medical partners at the MHH. Through these endeavors, Dr Slevogt investigates host-pathogen interactomes and elucidates the mechanisms underlying immune responses and their control.
In parallel to her research pursuits, Dr Slevogt remains dedicated to clinical practice, ensuring that her findings directly benefit patients. She serves as the Senior Consultant in Clinical Infectiology at the Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases (MHH), contributing her expertise to the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory infections.
Selected Publications
Klassert TE #, Goyal S, Stock M, Driesch D, Hussain A, Berrocal-Almanza LC, Myakala R, Sumanlatha G, Valluri V, Ahmed N, Schumann RR, Flores C, Slevogt H §. (2018). AmpliSeq Screening of Genes Encoding the C-Type Lectin Receptors and Their Signaling Components Reveals a Common Variant in MASP1 Associated with Pulmonary Tuberculosis in an Indian Population. Front Immunol. 9:242. 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00242.
Lehmann R, Müller MM, Klassert TE, Driesch D, Stock M, Heinrich A, Conrad T, Moore C, Schier UK, Guthke R, Slevogt H §. (2018). Differential regulation of the transcriptomic and secretomic landscape of sensor and effector functions of human airway epithelial cells. Mucosal Immunol. 11(3):627-642. 10.1038/mi.2017.100.
Klassert TE #, Leistner R, Zubiria-Barrera C, Stock M, López M, Neubert R, Driesch D, Gastmeier P, Slevogt H §. (2021). Bacterial colonization dynamics and antibiotic resistance gene dissemination in the hospital environment after first patient occupancy: a longitudinal metagenetic study. Microbiome. 9(1):169. 10.1186/s40168-021-01109-7.
Klassert TE #, Zubiria-Barrera C, Neubert R, Stock M, Schneegans A, López M, Driesch D, Zakonsky G, Gastmeier P, Slevogt H §, Leistner R. (2022). Comparative analysis of surface sanitization protocols on the bacterial community structures in the hospital environment. Clin Microbiol Infect. 28(8):1105-1112. 10.1016/j.cmi.2022.02.032.
Müller MM, Baldauf C, Hornischer S, Klassert TE, Schneegans A, Behnert A, Pletz MW, Hagel S, Slevogt H §. (2023). Staphylococcus aureus induces tolerance in human monocytes accompanied with expression changes of cell surface markers. Front Immunol. 14:1046374. 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1046374.
Projects
- The influence of microbial commensal-pathogen interactions on shaping the immunological environment of the human respiratory tract (RESIST)
- PlasmaCare: Analysis of the safety of cold plasma application on human lung epithelium using complex cell culture models.
- The interplay of Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus induced signals in receptor-mediated modulation of antifungal immune responses
- Development of a novel test kit for the diagnosis of pneumocystis jirovecii infection
