Research

The main research focus of the Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine is placed on sepsis research, comprising assessment of molecular disease mechanisms, pathophysiology and clinical management.
The research area Public Health scrutinizes the factors, structures and dynamics of health systems with particular emphasis on pandemic management, health security and risk communication.
Finally, two topics intensely investigated in our Department are pain management and psychological support in the intensive care setting.

Translational Septomics

Biochemistry of Sepsis

Host Response to Sepsis

Public Health

NanoInfect

Pain Medicine

Psychology

Psychological research provides an empirical basis to consolidate the relevance of the practical work of psychologists at the Intensive Care Unit at the Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine.

Research

Participation in Collaborative Research Projects

Balance of the Microverse

The Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse seeks to understand the dynamic balance of microbial communities from the molecular to the ecosystem level. By studying microbial consortia from different habitats – for instance, microorganisms in aquatic environments or human microbiomes – we aim to identify common and distinct patterns that determine balance of microbial consortia. How is microbial balance defined? Which factors disturb the equilibrium and how do systems regain balance? Finally, with a holistic understanding of the functional interactions of microbial consortia, our vision is to develop technologies to create beneficial impact, not least for human health.

Further information is available at the website of the Microverse Cluster.

CRC 1278 PolyTarget

The DFG-funded Collaborative Research Center PolyTarget is developing polymer-based, nanoparticulate carrier materials for the targeted application of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Emphasis is placed on systems that are suitable for the treatment of diseases and syndromes whose morbidity is significantly characterized by an inflammatory reaction.

Further information is available at the PolyTarget website.

Selected publications

Osuchowski MF, Winkler MS, Skirecki T, Cajander S, Shankar-Hari M, Lachmann G, Monneret G, Venet F, Bauer M, Brunkhorst FM, Weis S, Garcia-Salido A, Kox M, Cavaillon J-M, Uhle F, Weigand MA, Flohé SB, Wiersinga WJ, Almansa R, de la Fuente A, Martin-Loeches I, Meisel C, Spinetti T, Schefold JC, Cilloniz C, Torres A, Giamarellos-Bourboulis EJ, Ferrer R, Girardis M, Cossarizza A, Netea MG, van der Poll T, Bermejo-Martín JF, Rubio I (2021) The COVID-19 puzzle: deciphering pathophysiology and phenotypes of a new disease entity. Lancet Respir Med 9: 622-642 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33965003/

Schmidt B, Schneider J, Deffner T, Rosendahl J (2021) Hypnotic suggestions of safety improve well-being in non-invasively ventilated patients in the intensive care unit. Intensive Care Med 47: 485-486 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33590259/

Scholz J, Wetzker W, Licht A, Heintzmann R, Scherag A, Weis S, Pletz M, Betsch C, Bauer M, Dickmann P (2021) The role of risk communication in public health interventions. An analysis of risk communication for a community quarantine in Germany to curb the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. PLoS One 16: e0256113 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34388211/

Sommerfeld O, Medyukhina A, Neugebauer S, Ghait M, Ulferts S, Lupp A, Koning R, Wetzker R, Schulz S, Figge MT, Bauer M, Press AT (2021) Targeting Complement C5a Receptor 1 for the Treatment of Immunosuppression in Sepsis. Mol Ther 29: 338-346 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32966769/

Vincent JL, Sakr Y, Singer M, Martin-Loeches I, Machado FR, Marshall JC, Finfer S, Pelosi P, Brazzi L, Aditianingsih D, Timsit JF, Du B, Wittebole X, Maca J, Kannan S, Gorordo-Delsol LA, De Waele JJ, Mehta Y, Bonten MJM, Khanna AK, Kollef M, Human M, Angus DC (2020) Prevalence and Outcomes of Infection Among Patients in Intensive Care Units in 2017. JAMA 323: 1478-1487 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32207816/

Weigel C, Huttner SS, Ludwig K, Krieg N, Hofmann S, Schroder NH, Robbe L, Kluge S, Nierhaus A, Winkler MS, Rubio I, von Maltzahn JV, Spiegel S, Graler MH (2020) S1P lyase inhibition protects against sepsis by promoting disease tolerance via the S1P/S1PR3 axis. EBioMedicine 58: 11

Geil D, Thomas C, Zimmer A, Meissner W (2019) Chronified Pain Following Operative Procedures. Dtsch Arztebl Int 116: 261-+ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31130157/

Rubio I, Osuchowski MF, Shankar-Hari M, Skirecki T, Winkler MS, Lachmann G, La Rosee P, Monneret G, Venet F, Bauer M, Brunkhorst FM, Kox M, Cavaillon JM, Uhle F, Weigand MA, Flohe SB, Wiersinga WJ, Martin-Fernandez M, Almansa R, Martin-Loeches I, Torres A, Giamarellos-Bourboulis EJ, Girardis M, Cossarizza A, Netea MG, van der Poll T, Scherag A, Meisel C, Schefold JC, Bermejo-Martin JF (2019) Current gaps in sepsis immunology: new opportunities for translational research. Lancet Infect Dis 19: E422-E436 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31630991/