Julia Jellusova

Prof. Dr. Julia Jellusova is a tenure-track Assistant Professor at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), affiliated with the School of Medicine and the Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry. She leads the 'Immune Signaling' research group, focusing on the integration of metabolism and signal transduction in B cells in health and disease.

• Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry
• Former junior group leader at Albert Ludwigs University Freiburg
• Postdoctoral training at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, USA
• PhD from Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg

Her research centers on immunometabolism, particularly how metabolic programs regulate B cell fate, function, and contribution to autoimmunity and cancer. She investigates signaling pathways such as PI3K, NF-κB, and BAFF-R, and their interplay with metabolic stress, immunoglobulin production, and mitochondrial function. Her work has revealed novel mechanisms by which immunoglobulins influence ER homeostasis and metabolic flexibility independent of their receptor function.

The 15 most recent publications highlight a strong trend in B cell immunometabolism, with recurring themes in BAFF signaling, PI3K pathway regulation, metabolic checkpoints (e.g., GSK3), mitochondrial function (e.g., TFAM), and the role of metabolic dysregulation in B cell malignancies. Her articles frequently appear in high-impact journals such as Nature Immunology, PNAS, and Cell Reports, reflecting her leadership in the field.

Her scientific awards include:

• Henriette Herz-Scouting Programme, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (2022)
• STS Science Award (2017)
• Margarete von Wrangell Habilitations Fellowship (2017–2021)
• Eric Dudl Scholarship Award (2015)
• Seahorse Travel Award (2015)
• Arthritis National Research Foundation grant (2013–2014)
• DFG Research Fellowship (2011–2013)
• STAEDTLER Foundation Award (2011)

Julia Jellusova has secured competitive grants and fellowships throughout her career, including funding from the DFG and Arthritis National Research Foundation. She mentors junior scientists within her research group and has co-authored numerous publications with trainees, indicating an active role in advising. Her research is conducted at TranslaTUM, the Central Institute for Translational Cancer Research at TUM, where her lab investigates metabolic vulnerabilities in malignant B cells to inform new therapeutic strategies.

She leads the 'Immune Signaling' working group at TUM, embedded within a collaborative environment at TranslaTUM, focusing on translational cancer research. Her team explores how metabolic stress and signaling context determine B cell fate, with implications for autoimmune diseases and B cell lymphomas.