University Medical Center (UMC) Mainz

Platelets are small, anucleated cell fragments derived from bone marrow megakaryocytes that play a central role in thrombosis and hemostasis but are increasingly being recognized to contribute inflammatory processes in disease. We have previously shown that platelet-derived mediators contribute to thromboinflammation after stroke, mediate wound healing and maintain vascular integrity during inflammation. Using intravital microscopy of the mouse liver, we have visualized platelet interactions with liver-resident macrophages (Kupffer cells) in real time and showed that these interactions (i) are critical for clearing aged platelets from circulation and (ii) contribute to the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and subsequent hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently, we contributed to a study that identified a novel role of peritoneal macrophages as extravascular platelets.

Research website

Positions held

• Since 2021: Assistant Professor for Systems Interactions of Hemostasis, Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis, University Medical Center Mainz, Germany
• 2019 - 2021: Group Leader, Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
• 2016 - 2019: Postdoctoral Researcher, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Calgary, Canada, DFG Research Fellowship

Education

• 2011 - 2015: Dr rer nat in Experimental Biomedicine, Rudolf Virchow Centre, Würzburg, Germany
• 2005 - 2010: MSc in Biochemistry, University of Frankfurt/Main, Germany