Lab Löffler

Welcome to the internet presence of my most important projects.

If you have any questions, please contact me by e-mail .

Projects

From acute to chronic and difficult-to-treat infections caused by S. aureus

A: S. aureus spondylodiscitis/osteomyelitis with vertebral body destruction; B: Pathogenesis steps in hematogenous osteomyelitis

Chronic and difficult-to-treat infections are a major research focus of our institute. We have long-standing experience with S. aureus infections that can develop from an acute destructive infection into a chronic infection that can be extremely difficult to treat. The reason for this can be that the pathogens (i) invade host cells and hide intracellularly, (ii) chance their phenotypes to small-colony-variants (SCVs) that have a low metabolism and can escape from the immune system and from antibiotics, and (iii) form biofilm. Important examples for chronic S. aureus infections are osteomyelitis and endocarditis. In several project we investigate the patho-mechanisms of the infections. For this, we have developed in-vitro cell culture and in-vivo murine models that can be analysed from the acute to the chronic stage. We investigate the bacterial adaptation strategies and the host response.

Currently, we have funding from the BMBF-consortium “Mesinflame”.

Project management: Bettina Löffler, in cooperation with Ute Neugebauer (CSCC)

Funding: Project funding by the CSCC (Center for Sepsis Control and Care; BMBF)

The lung microbiome and their influence on infection development

S. aureus colonies on a blood plate with large zones of hemolysis

Since many years we analyse lung infections caused by S. aureus, by influenza virus or by both pathogens (co-infections). We study different virulence factors that cause lung inflammation and destruction, such as the S. aureus pore-forming toxins. In the co-infection, both pathogens interact, which can aggravate pneumonia. In a recent project we study the lung microbiome and its impact on infection development. We analyse the microbiome in surgical samples in different locations of the lung by culture methods, by sequencing and by imaging techniques. Additionally, we established complex cell culture models, including the alveolar-on-a-chip model that mimics the situation in the lung. We aim to colonize our cell culture models with bacteria belonging to the microbiome and infect the system with pathogens. Thereby the role of the microbiota and possible therapeutic interventions will be studied.

Currently, we have funding from DFG by the Excellence Cluster “Balance of the Microverse” and the SFB 1278 “PolyTarget”

Project management: Bettina Löffler, in cooperation with Hortense Slevogt (Septomics)

Funding: BMBF im Rahmen des InfectoGnostics Forschungscampus

Diagnostic and translational research

To improve our diagnostic work we continuously aim to develop new methods. We have collaborations with the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology and use imaging methods to detect pathogens in diagnostic samples. In particular, we work on fast blood culture detection methods that can directly identify the pathogens in blood samples from patients with short (or no) cultivation steps. Furthermore, we work on rapid antimicrobial resistance testings that are based on early microbial changes that can be detected by imaging methods.

In general, we check newly developed techniques for their application in routine diagnostics, ranging from blood culture detection analytic methods to multiplex PCR systems designed for POCT-diagnostics.

Currently, we have funding by the BMBF by the InfectoGnostics Campus Jena, project “InfectoExplore” and “ADA” and by the BMBF-funding for the “Leibniz-Zentrum für Photonik in der Infektionsforschung”.

Project management: Bettina Löffler

CV

Short CV

Name:                       Prof. Dr. med. Bettina Löffler

Position:                   Professor (Director) of Medical Microbiology

Institution:               Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jena University Hospital, Germany

Tel:                            +49 3641 9-393500

E-mail:                      

Three children:         *2002 Lara, *2004 Thea, *2007 Elisa

Academic education and degrees

2012	Board certificate for “Microbiology and Epidemiology in Infection”
2011	Habilitation, “Staphylococcus aureus Infektionen an zellulären Barrieren: Inflammation, Zellzerstörung, Defektheilung und bakterielle Langzeit-Persistenz”, University Hospital of Münster (UKM)
2000	Dr. med., Thesis: “Der Einfluß von Glucose und Hyperosmolarität auf peritoneale Mesothelzellen”, University of Munich (LMU)
1999	State examination Medicine
1992–1999	Studies of Medicine, University of Munich (LMU) [and University of Birmingham and Cincinnati]

Stages of scientific work

since 2014	Professor for Medical Microbiology (W3), University of Jena (UKJ)
2014	Call for the W3 Professorship of the Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital of Münster (declined)
2002–2014	Resident Physician, Clinical training in Medical Microbiology; setup and management of the research group “Cellular Microbiology” in the Institute of Medical Microbiology at the University Hospital Münster
2000–2002	Research fellowship from the DFG at the Gaubius Laboratory, The Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Leiden, The Netherlands
1999–2000	Internship at the Medical Clinics, Nephrology/Immunology, LMU Munich

Awards and functions

since 2021	Elected member of the “DFG-Fachkollegium 204: Mikrobiologie, Virologie und Immunologie”
2019	Thüringer Forschungspreis 2019 in der Kategorie Angewandte Forschung
since 2019	Member and PI of the DFG-Excellence Cluster “Balance of the Microverse”
since 2018	Member of the “Stiftung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie”
since 2018	Managing board of the IZKF, Jena
since 2017	Head of the Board, Center of Innovation Competence (CIC) Septomics
since 2015	Member of the Jena Center for Microbial Communication (JCMC)
2015–2021	Deputy spokesperson, Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena
since 2014	Managing board of the Centre of Innovation Competence (ZIK) Septomics
since 2014	Consulting activities and PI in InfectoGnostics, Jena
2011–2013	Organization of the annual ‘Immunology-Meeting’, Münster
2009–2014	Project leaderships and organization work in CRCs und BMBF-funded research consortia in Münster (e.g. CRC 492/B9; CRC/TR 34/C12, C14; CRC 1009/B1; CRC 656/A10)
2003–2006	Research grants from the Else-Kröner Fresenius Stiftung
2000–2002	Research fellowship from the DFG at the Gaubius Laboratory, The Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Leiden, The Netherlands
since 2010	Reviewer for the DFG and DZIF; Austrian, French and Polish research projects
since 2005	Reviewer for about 25 international leading peer reviewed scientific journals

Publications

Pubmed: Haslinger B Sitter T, Haslinger B Kooistra T, Haslinger-Löffler B, Löffler B Peters G or Löffler B Jena

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Haslinger+B+Sitter+T

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Haslinger+B+Kooistra+T

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Haslinger-L%C3%B6ffler+B

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=L%C3%B6ffler+B+Peters+G

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=L%C3%B6ffler+B+Jena

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Loeffler+B+Jena