Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering

The next breakthrough move in #Transplantation! One of the biggest challenges in organ transplantation is antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) — a major cause of transplant failure. Traditional treatments suppress the entire immune system, increasing risk of infection and cancer. At Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH), we are developing a different approach to tackle alloimmune disease: 🚀 Introducing CORA-T Cells: The Future of Transplant Immunotherapy The field of CAR-Ts offers opportunities far beyond #oncology. Our team at the Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering (#ITT, #MHH) has developed Chimeric Alloantigen-Specific T Cells (CORA-Ts) precisely targeting and eliminating alloreactive B cells directed against mismatched HLA antigens. This prevents AMR, while preserving the immune system's function. ⚡ Key breakthroughs that make CORA-Ts a game-changer in #transplantation:  ✔️ Precision Targeting – Unlike traditional immunosuppressive therapies that weaken the entire immune system, CORA-Ts selectively recognize and destroy only the mismatch-triggered, harmful alloreactive B cells preventing Donor-Specific Antibodies (DSAs).  ✔️ Functionality under #Immunosuppression – Even in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy, CORA-Ts remain effective as they are engineered for being protected against immunosuppressants. Never before has a T cell been so smart. For more information click on the link to the paper: https://lnkd.in/eCVk4asg Many thanks to our team and supporters: Anna Christina Dragon, Agnes Bonifacius, Stefan Lienenklaus, Murielle Verboom, Jan-Phillipp Gerhards, Fabio Ius, Christian Hinze, Michael Hudecek, Constanca Figueiredo, Rainer Blasczyk, and Britta Eiz-Vesper, Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung, #nextGENERATIONMedicalScientistProgram, Deutsche Krebshilfe, Deutsche Kinderkrebsstiftung, #HannoverBiomedicalResearchSchool #celltherapy, #CARTs, #CORATs, #Immunotherapy, #Transplantation

Ein spannender Jahresrückblick im Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering (ITT) an der Hannover Medical School (MHH)! 🌟 In unserem Institut kamen alle Abteilungen zusammen – vom #Blutspendedienst, der #Transplantationsimmunologie und #Immunhämatologie bis hin zur #Forschung und Entwicklung. Besonders stolz sind wir auf unser neues Startup Allogenetics das an faszinierenden Projekten mit “unsichtbaren Organen” arbeitet. Unter der Leitung von Professor Rainer Blasczyk wurde ein umfassender Überblick über die diesjährigen Erfolge und Fortschritte präsentiert. Jede Abteilung hat beeindruckende Einblicke in ihre Arbeit gegeben, und die Vielfalt der Themen zeigt einmal mehr, wie wichtig die interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit in unserem Feld ist. Ein besonderes Highlight war die Vorstellung unserer Aktivitäten im Bereich #SocialMedia. Eine moderne Kommunikationsstrategie ist essenziell, um die Sichtbarkeit wissenschaftlicher Arbeit zu erhöhen und unsere Botschaften an ein breiteres Publikum zu bringen. Dieses Video gibt einen kleinen Einblick in die inspirierende Atmosphäre und die Vielfalt unserer Präsentationen. 🎥 Ein großes Dankeschön an alle Kolleginnen und Kollegen: Rainer Blasczyk, Michael Hallensleben, Britta Eiz-Vesper, Constanca Figueiredo, Jörg Martens, Stephan Immenschuh, Christina Bade-Döding, Sarvinoz Jalilova, Nicola Paradies, Wolfgang Mende, Nina Gödecke, Christina Hefter, Merle Lenort, Laura Siemer, Christiane Maschek und Martina Schwertfeger für ihren Einsatz und ihre Beiträge – gemeinsam bewegen wir viel! #Jahresrückblick #Transfusionsmedizin #Blutspendedienst #MHH #ITT #Allogenetics

🎉 We are proud to announce the Q3 2024 DG-GT Paper of the Quarter Award winners (2/3)! 🏆 Constanca Figueiredo et al. make and exciting leap in transplantation science! By using #lentiviral transduction to down-regulate swine leukocyte antigen expression in porcine #lung grafts, their team achieved long-term #graft survival without the need for immunosuppression! 🫁🐷 📖 Find the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/esfcE8ue ✨ More about the DG-GT Paper of the Quarter Awards: https://lnkd.in/egu6RtUA #PoQ #OrganTransplantation #BiomedicalInnovation

🏆 Karl-Landsteiner-Award  – Thanks to the German Society of Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology (#DGTI) Professor Dr. Rainer Blasczyk and his team were recently honored with the prestigious Karl-Landsteiner Award, which was associated with his lecture on “Fighting Alloimmunity”. This recognition honors his pioneering #research in transplantation medicine that has led to overcoming alloimmunity, thereby potentially eliminating the need for #immunosuppression after solid organ #transplantation.   Karl Landsteiner, the discoverer of the main blood groups, dedicating his scientific life to the secrets of life and health as the most worthy challenges of a scientist, tackled the complex problem of allogeneic compatibility. The Karl-Landsteiner-Award, the highest award from the #DGTI, acknowledges the dedication and innovation of our team in realizing a vision of safer and more effective organ transplants. Congratulations to Professor Rainer Blasczyk and our entire team from Medizinische Hochschule Hannover! 🎉 #KarlLandsteinerAward #Transplantation #OrganTransplants

📘 Innovations in #Nephrology: Latest Developments in Genetic Engineering, AI, and 3D The book Innovations in Nephrology, edited by Geraldo Bezerra da Silva Junior and Professor Masaomi Nangaku, highlights cutting-edge techniques and has now also been made available in German since October 2024. It was published with contributions from Professor Dr. Constanca Figueiredo and Professor Dr. Rainer Blasczyk, head of our "Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering" (ITT) at the Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (Medical School), and released by Springer Nature.   💡 Content and Goals The book examines the latest technological advances in the treatment of kidney diseases. Topics such as Genetic Engineering, AI, 3D printing, “kidney-on-a-chip” technologies, and innovative approaches in dialysis therapy make it a significant resource for nephrologists, scientists, and all professionals in the healthcare sector.   📈 The Future of Nephrology Innovations in Nephrology impressively illustrates how research and modern technologies can improve the quality of life for patients. We are pleased that our institute could contribute to this.   👉🏻 Access to the English eBook: Innovations in Nephrology https://lnkd.in/ewbhdpaK   👉🏻 Zugang zum Deutschen eBook: Innovationen in der Nephrologie https://lnkd.in/e7a85d2z

We are excited to announce that the Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover recently contributed to a significant highlight at the Eurotransplant Annual Meeting 2024 held in Wassenaar, Netherlands. Our project, “Invisible Organs – Engineering Allotransplants to Overcome Rejection,” developed by Professor Rainer Blasczyk was honored with the prestigious Jon van Rood Award.   This recognition underscores our commitment to advancing transplantation science and improving patient outcomes. The #annualmeeting brought together over 270 attendees from Eurotransplant member countries, along with distinguished guest speakers from France, the UK, and Canada. The event provided an invaluable platform for exchanging ideas, sharing best practices, and discussing the latest innovations in organ donation and #transplantation.   We are immensely grateful for the engaging discussions and insights shared by participants, which fostered collaboration and innovation in our field.   A special acknowledgment goes to Prof. Dr.Rainer Blasczyk and his team for their dedication on this important project, inspiring us all to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in transplantation.   We look forward to the future and are eager to share more about our work. #jonvanrood #annualmeeting #jonvanroodaward #AM24 #TransplantEngineering #InvisibleOrgans

“One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” (Neil Armstrong 1969) A Major Leap for Humanity: ITT‘s Breakthrough in Organ Transplantation making organs invisible We are over the moon and delighted to share a monumental achievement that transplant patients have been eagerly hoping for. Our recent research at ITT marks a significant progress in the field of #transplantation, providing a new approach to enhancing long-term survival of organ transplants without the need for lifelong immunosuppression. What now has been demonstrated in lung transplants has the potential to be applied to any #transplant in the future. Key Highlights from Our Research: 🧬Innovative Genetic Modification: Our team utilized lentiviral transduction of short hairpin RNAs (shRNA) to permanently suppress the expression of Swine Leukocyte Antigen (SLA) in donor organs. 🫁Exceptional Graft Survival: The modified organs showed excellent results, maintaining viability and functionality for extended periods without signs of rejection. This was achieved without the necessity for long-term immunosuppressive therapy. 🔬Controlled Immune Response: The study demonstrated a reduction in donor-specific antibodies, pro-inflammatory cytokines and #TCell response, indicating a more controlled immune response in recipients. This breakthrough represents a transformative advancement in organ #transplantation, paving the way for future applications across various organ types. By potentially reducing the reliance on traditional immunosuppressive therapies, this innovation offers new hope for patients and a brighter future for organ transplantation. Cheers to the team at ITT and Medizinische Hochschule Hannover: Prof. Dr. Constanca Figueiredo, Dr. Chen-Wacker Chen, PD Dr. Jawad Salman, Dr. Marco Oliveira, Thierry Dr. Siemeni, Klaus Höffler, Dr. Tamina Rother, Dr. Karolin Webs, Dr. Emilio Valdivia, Dr. Olena Pogozhykh, Dr. Sabine Hammer, PD Dr. Wiebke Sommer, Dr. Yuliia Yuzefovych, Dr. Nadine Wenzel, Prof. Dr. Axel Haverich, Prof. Dr. Gregor Warnecke, Prof. Dr. Rainer Blasczyk. At ITT we are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of medical science and improving healthcare outcomes. We are excited about the promising future of our research and its potential impact on patients worldwide. Stay tuned and watch the Transplant Engineering upgrade every other step! #Transplantation #TransplantEngineering #InvisibleOrgans https://scim.ag/7Ky

🏆 The #JuliaBodmerAward is a prestigious accolade recognizing young scientists for their outstanding contributions to immunogenetics. This award celebrates significant advancements and exceptional research that push the boundaries of our understanding in this key area of medical science. 🏅 We proudly congratulate Agnes Bonifacius from the Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering ITT at Medizinische Hochschule Hannover for receiving this prestigious award during the Opening Ceremony of the EFI Conference 2024 in Geneva. Her groundbreaking research on the effect of immunosuppression on antiviral T-cells in transplant patients is truly changing the way adoptive T-cell therapy is used in critically ill patients. 💖We also want to acknowledge the collective efforts of our entire team, whose support and collaboration have been instrumental. Congratulations to all members of our alloCELL Lab and the Molecular Immunotherapy Group at the ITT Agnes Bonifacius | Markus Benedikt Krueger | Anna Christina Dragon | Maria Michela Santamorena | Björn Nashan | Richard Taubert | Ulrich Kalinke | Britta Maecker-Kolhoff | Rainer Blasczyk | Britta Eiz-Vesper #EFIConference #Immunogenetics #ITT #TeamSuccess #Geneva

We are proud and delighted to have such a talented scientist as Alice Rovai in our team at the Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Transplantation Engineering ITT. She was awarded the prestigious Jon van Rood Award at the EFI Conference 2024 in Geneva! Alice Rovai received this prestigious award for her outstanding work on the in vitro production of #HLA-silenced megakaryocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (#iPSC). This award is a testament to her exceptional talent, dedication, and the significance of her research for the advancement of medical science. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Alice Rovai for this well-deserved achievement. Her dedication and scientific contributions are an inspiration to us all, highlighting the importance of research conducted at the ITT. A big thank you to Alice Rovai and all members of our #team who contributed to this success. Your hard work and collaboration are invaluable, and we are grateful to have such talented and dedicated colleagues. Congratulations, Alice Rovai, and here’s to continued success! #Immunogenetics #ITT #BloodPharming #HannoverMedicalSchool #EFI2024 Alice Rovai | Rabea Dettmer | Chen-Wacker Chen | Miriam Hospodarz | Rainer Blasczyk | Constanca Figueiredo

🌟#StartupSpotlight: Get to know our amazing residents at our high-tech incubator! 🌟This week, we're shining the spotlight on Allogenetics GmbH! ❗ Did you know that Allogenetics' genetically modified lungs are still very well-functioning six years after transplantation without immunosuppression in a pig model? And now they are being vaccinated and taking their first steps out of the lab!
 This revolution in organ transplantation is made possible by the start-up, Allogenetics. By generating an immunological invisibility of the transplant, their unique approach introduces a new era in organ transplantation: Invisible organs instead of lifelong immunosuppression. Curious about who's in our current batch? Check out our website and learn more about our startups & incubation programme -> https://lnkd.in/ehVwn9Gr.. Rainer Blasczyk Julian Meckfessel #BioIntelligence #HighTechIncubator #Biotech #Lifesciences #InnovationHub #IncubatorLife #StartupEcosystem #Entrepreneurship #StartupCommunity #StartupJourney #StartupLife