Arthur Liesz

Arthur Liesz is a Professor of Stroke-Immunology at the Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, and leads the Liesz Lab at the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD). He is a full member of the Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (GSN) and holds a senior consultant position in Neurology at LMU Hospital. His research is centered on the complex bidirectional interactions between the brain and immune system after stroke, with a strong emphasis on translational impact.

• Professor for Stroke-Immunology, LMU Munich (2020–present)
• Senior Consultant in Neurology, ISD, LMU Hospital (2020–present)
• Board Certified in Neurology, Medical Board of Bavaria (2019)
• Habilitation: Immunological Mechanisms in Acute Brain Ischemia (2016)
• Medical Degree: Universities of Würzburg & Heidelberg (2003–2010)
• Training in Experimental Immunology, DKFZ Heidelberg (2006–2009)

His research focuses on neuroinflammation, trained immunity, inflammasome activation, and systemic immunomodulation after stroke. He investigates how immune responses affect neuronal damage and recovery, and how brain injury leads to long-term changes in peripheral immunity, including secondary organ damage. His lab uses advanced models of brain ischemia, transgenic animals, and cutting-edge immunological and imaging techniques.

The recent publications of Arthur Liesz reflect a strong trend toward understanding chronic and systemic consequences of stroke, particularly the role of trained immunity and inflammasome activation in driving remote organ dysfunction and recurrent vascular events. His 2024 papers in Nature and Cell highlight the importance of DNA-sensing inflammasomes and innate immune memory in post-stroke complications, marking a shift from acute to chronic and systemic perspectives in stroke research.

• ERC Starting Grant (2018)
• Science Award (Pette Prize), German Neurological Society (2020)
• Young Investigator Award, European Stroke Organization (2015)
• Speaker, DFG Research Unit FOR2879 'ImmunoStroke' (2022–2025)
• Organizer, EMBO Workshop 'Stroke-Immunology' (since 2020)
• Local Chair, European Stroke Organization Conference (2023)

Liesz has mentored numerous PhD and postdoctoral students, many of whom have gone on to independent research or industry roles. His lab is supported by major grants from the DFG (including CRC TRR274, CRC1123, SPP2395), the European Research Council, and the SyNergy Excellence Cluster. He leads a multidisciplinary team investigating brain-immune crosstalk, with active projects on microglia, T cells, the choroid plexus, and systemic immunity.

The Liesz Lab is a dynamic and international research group based at the Center for Stroke and Dementia Research in Munich. It includes postdoctoral fellows, PhD students, and technical staff working on diverse aspects of stroke immunology. The lab fosters a collaborative environment with strong translational goals and active participation in multicenter and interdisciplinary projects such as the DEMDAS Study Group.