The Von Behring-Röntgen Stiftung has announced its 2026 funding decisions, supporting eight innovative biomedical research projects at Philipps-Universität Marburg and Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen. The selected projects highlight the strength of translational research in Central Hesse and include several initiatives led by scientists from the Deutsches Zentrum für Lungenforschung (DZL).
Researchers from the Institute for Lung Health (ILH) at Justus Liebig University Giessen are prominently represented in this year’s funding round. Their projects address fundamental mechanisms of lung disease, ranging from tumor immunology and genetic drivers of cancer to early determinants of lung development, thereby reflecting key priorities of the DZL research agenda.
Prof. Dr. Rajkumar Savai, Scientific Coordinator of the DZL Disease Area Lung Cancer, is involved in a project investigating macrophage-driven mechanisms in lung cancer. By analyzing how immune cells within the tumor microenvironment shape disease progression, the research aims to identify new biomarkers and therapeutic targets, contributing to precision medicine approaches in lung oncology.
Dr. Annika Karger, from Prof. Dr. Rajkumar Savai’s lab, focuses on the metabolic reprogramming of immune cells and its impact on their function within tumors. Her work explores how altered cellular metabolism shapes anti-tumor immunity, providing insights that may open new therapeutic avenues.
Dr. Julianne Funk, from the lab of Prof. Thorsten Stiewe, investigates the functional consequences of TP53 mutations, among the most common genetic alterations in human cancers. Her research aims to improve patient stratification and enable more personalized treatment strategies based on tumor-specific molecular profiles.
In the field of developmental lung biology, Dr. Dharmesh Hirani from Prof. Miguel A. Alejandre Alcázar Lab and Dr. Maria Camila Melo-Narvaez from Prof. Mareike Lehmann Lab are leading a joint project examining how early cellular alterations, particularly the emergence of senescent cells, influence long-term lung development. Their research addresses how early-life inflammatory processes and medical interventions may result in persistent structural changes in the lung, with the long-term goal of identifying preventive therapeutic strategies.
The funded projects underscore the close collaboration between Giessen and Marburg and reflect the translational research framework fostered by the DZL. By connecting basic mechanistic insights with clinical relevance, these initiatives contribute to the shared mission of improving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of lung diseases.
The continued support from the Von Behring-Röntgen Stiftung reinforces the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation and provides valuable momentum for advancing innovative solutions to complex pulmonary and oncological challenges within the DZL network.
