The Von Behring-Röntgen Stiftung has awarded substantial funding to advance cutting-edge biomedical research in Central Hessen. As part of its 2026 funding round, a total of €1.9 million is being invested in eight outstanding projects across Phillips-University Marburg and Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, supporting innovative approaches to understanding and treating major diseases. Among the funded initiatives, researchers from the Institute for Lung Health (ILH) are prominently represented, reflecting the institute’s leading role in translational lung research. The supported projects span a broad scientific spectrum, from tumor immunology and genetic drivers of cancer to early-life determinants of lung development.
Prof. Dr. Rajkumar Savai is involved in research on macrophage-driven mechanisms in lung cancer, aiming to identify novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. By dissecting how immune cells within the tumor microenvironment influence disease progression, this work seeks to contribute to more precise and effective treatment strategies.
Dr. Annika Karger, from Prof. Dr. Rajkumar Savai’s lab, is exploring how metabolic reprogramming of immune cells shapes their function within tumors. Her research focuses on understanding how altered cellular metabolism impacts anti-tumor immunity, insights that could inform the development of innovative therapeutic interventions.
Dr. Julianne Funk, from the lab of Prof. Thorsten Stiewe, investigates the functional consequences of TP53 mutations, one of the most frequently altered genes in cancer. Her work aims to enable more personalized treatment strategies by clarifying how specific genetic changes influence tumor behavior and therapy response.
In addition, Dr. Dharmesh Hirani from Prof. Miguel A. Alejandre Alcázar Lab and Dr. Maria Camila Melo-Narvaez from Prof. Mareike Lehmann Lab received support for their joint project investigating how early cellular changes, particularly the emergence of senescent cells, influence long-term lung development. Their research examines how early-life inflammatory processes and medical interventions may lead to persistent structural alterations in the lung. The ultimate goal is to identify preventive therapeutic strategies that can mitigate long-term respiratory complications.
The funded projects underscore the strong collaborative environment between Giessen and Marburg and highlight the ILH’s commitment to addressing fundamental mechanisms of disease. By connecting basic research with clinical relevance, these initiatives aim to pave the way for improved diagnostics, targeted therapies, and preventive strategies that will ultimately benefit patients. The continued support from the Von Behring-Röntgen Stiftung reinforces the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and provides critical momentum for developing innovative solutions to complex medical challenges.
