معرفی
Prof. Dr. Stefanie Scheu is a molecular immunology researcher focusing on cytokine dynamics in infectious and autoimmune diseases. Since 2024, she has held a W3 Professorship and directed the Institute of Immunology at University Medical Center Rostock while maintaining leadership in Düsseldorf for ongoing projects. Her work bridges immunology, microbiology, and neuroinflammation.
- Studied biology at TU Munich (Diploma 1998)
- PhD in Medical Microbiology (2002, TU Munich)
- Postdoc at University of California, San Francisco (2003-2006)
- DFG Emmy Noether Group Leader (2006-2012)
- W2 Professor at HHU Düsseldorf (2012-2024)
- W3 Professor at University of Rostock (2024-present)
Research centers on type I interferon-producing immune cells, particularly plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and microglia. Her team uses fluorescence reporter mice to visualize IFNβ-producing cells during infections and autoimmune responses, revealing specialized pDC subpopulations and novel regulators of interferon expression. Current projects investigate:
- Spatiotemporal cytokine dynamics in Listeria and Toxoplasma infections
- Tetraspanin Tspan2's role in anti-infective immunity
- Natural product libraries for immune-activating compounds
- Post-sepsis immune dysregulation mechanisms
Publications highlight her contributions to understanding:
- IFNβ's dual role in viral infections and multiple sclerosis
- DC-SCRIPT's regulation of type I interferon in cancer
- TLR9-stimulated pDC gene expression profiles
- HDAC inhibitors' immune-activating properties
Her lab has trained numerous doctoral students and postdocs in immune cell biology while collaborating across disciplines to translate findings into:
- Novel vaccination strategies
- Autoimmune disease therapies
- Antimicrobial compound development
- Neuroinflammation modulation approaches
