معرفی
Prof. Martin Schmelz is a leading academic at the Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, heading the Experimental Pain Research department. His work focuses on translational pain mechanisms, particularly the role of nerve fibers and inflammatory mediators in chronic pain and itch. He employs advanced techniques like microneurography and microdialysis, leveraging pig skin models for their similarity to human tissue. Schmelz is actively involved in collaborative research initiatives including the FOR 2690 'Translational Pruritus Research' and the CRC 1158 'Structure-function properties of neural pathways.' His team investigates NGF/GDNF modulation, axonal excitability, and nerve terminal dynamics across species. Recent projects include drug development (e.g., opioid conjugates) and understanding diabetic neuropathy's pathophysiology. Funding sources include the Medical Faculty Mannheim and specific grants for translational pain/itch studies.
Research interests emphasize the bidirectional interactions between nervous systems and immune/tissue cells, with a focus on neurotrophins' long-term modulation and acute mediator effects. His lab develops in vitro models to study nociceptor subtypes and employs porcine DRG cultures. Notable contributions include identifying NGF-induced sensitization patterns and linking axonal abnormalities to clinical pain symptoms. He collaborates internationally on pruritus medicine and neuropathic conditions, contributing to interdisciplinary efforts through the Heidelberg Pain Consortium and the International Research Training Group GRK 1874 DIAMICOM.
Lab facilities include Tridomus buildings in Mannheim with specialized equipment for single fiber recordings and cell culture systems. Current staff includes PhD students Zeinab Abbasi and Lisa Tiebl, alongside senior researchers like Dr. Richard Carr and Prof. Roman Rukwied. While no open positions are listed, the group maintains active translational research programs bridging clinical and experimental findings. Recent work highlights the failure of quantitative sensory testing in certain contexts and explores novel biomarkers for chronic pain conditions.
