11.06.2025 Thera4Age Project Meeting 2025 (T4A Klausurtagung 2025)
On June 11, 2025, Thera4Age consortium gathered at the Kolonnaden-Saal (Bergzoo Halle) for a productive and inspiring project meeting. The day brought together project partners for an intensive exchange of ideas, progress updates, and future planning.
The event opened with a warm welcome by Prof. Christian Wischke and a brief overview of the meeting’s objectives, followed by an engaging keynote lecture from Prof. Anne Seidlitz (Freie Universität Berlin) as the advisory board member of Thera4Age. In her talk, Prof. Seidlitz presented their research on individualized dosage forms tailored to vulnerable populations such as the ageing society.
The meeting featured comprehensive updates from all five subprojects. Presentations covered a wide range of topics: Dr. Franziska Seifert and Nico Kibria summarized their work on the management of chronic wounds such as decubitus ulcer with elastin-based approaches. Dr. Nikolaos Giannareas and Phuong Vo discussed their research on the modulation of hepatosenescence by dietary components. Dr. Shifa Kajeh Saleem and Dr. Seyhmus Bayar highlighted efforts on enhanced immune responses with particulate vaccine carriers. Prof. Karsten Mäder, Dr. Ahmad Hivechi and Dr. Padmanabhan Vakeel reported on the delivery of senolytics for regulation of senescent cells. Dr. Clément Linger and Dr. Markus Petermann shared progress on photoacoustic imaging as a diagnostic tool and on novel pharmacotherapies for colorectal carcinoma. Each session sparked lively discussions and valuable feedback among participants.
Last session of the day was moderated by Prof. Wischke and Dr. Enise Ece Gurdal, where all participants contributed to a collaborative mind map, exploring ideas for the future development of the consortium. This interactive session fostered new perspectives on strengthening interdisciplinary collaborations, as well as on advancing long-term research and coordination efforts.
The day concluded with a relaxed joint dinner at Restaurant Ruine, where informal discussions continued in a warm and collegial atmosphere.
We thank all presenters and participants for their valuable contributions, and extend our special thanks to all T4A PIs (Prof. Sonja Keßler, Prof. Johannes Wohlrab, Prof. Karsten Mäder, Prof. Markus Pietzsch, Prof. Christine Dierks, Dr. Markus Petermann, Prof. Jan Laufer, Prof. Gabriele Stangl) and speakers (Prof. Christian Wischke, Prof. Andreas Simm) for their great support and insights. We look forward to moving ahead together with Thera4Age!
04.06.2025 T4A Klausurtagung 2025
We are pleased to announce that the first Thera4Age project meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at the Kolonnaden-Saal, Reilstraße 57, Halle (Saale).
This full-day event will bring together all consortium members, along with advisory board member Prof. Dr. Anne Seidlitz, for a comprehensive exchange of scientific progress across all subprojects. The meeting will provide a platform for open discussion, foster collaboration, and help shape the strategic direction of Thera4Age moving forward.
Thera4Age Project Meeting 2025 | Preliminary Program
Date: 11.06.2025 Wednesday
Place: Kolonnaden-Saal, Reilstr. 57, 06114 Halle (Saale)
09:30 – 10:00 Arrival of participants (light refreshments and drinks)
10:00 – 10:15 Welcome & Introduction to the Meeting Objectives
10:15 – 11:00 External Keynote Lecture (by Prof. Anne Seidlitz-Freie Universität Berlin)
11:00 – 11:15 Coffee Break
11:15 – 12:45 Subproject 1 (Dr. Franziska Seifert, Nico Kibria), Subproject 5 (Dr. Nikolaos Giannareas, Phuong Vo)
12:45 – 14:00 Lunch break at Bergrestaurant; time for individual discussions
14:00 – 15:30 Subproject 2 (Dr. Shifa Saleem, Dr. Seyhmus Bayar), Subproject 3 (Prof. Karsten Mäder, Dr. Ahmad Hivechi, Dr. Padmanabhan Vakeel)
15:30 – 15:45 Coffee Break
15:45 – 17:15 Subproject 4 (Dr. Clément Linger, Dr. Markus Petermann)
17:15 – 18:00 Creative Workshop: Further Development of the Consortium, Mind Map Creation (Dr. Ece Gürdal)
18:00 – 20:00 Joint Dinner with Individual Discussions at Restaurant Ruine
Keynote Lecture by Prof. Dr. Anne Seidlitz (Pharmaceutics, Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin)
Title: Dosage form development for the ageing society – examples from our lab
Abstract: “We are interested in dosage form development under consideration of biopharmaceutical insights into the fate of dosage form in the body. This includes the development of in vitro dissolution test setups that take selected physiological factors such as movements and the “surroundings” of the dosage form into account. In the case of intravitreal dosage forms, the “surrounding”, here the vitreous body, undergoes intensive changes during ageing1 which we aim to include in our methods. Such models2 can be used to evaluate newly developed dosage forms in the preclinical phase and to select the most promising prototypes. Furthermore, we work on methods to produce individualized dosage forms using 3d printing methods such as fused filament fabrication or semi-solid extrusion. The field of individualized dosage forms is especially interesting for vulnerable patient groups that sometimes do not receive the ideal therapy when only few standardized doses are available, such as children3 and patients with renal insufficiency. Furthermore, as personalized medicine is advancing, more methods to produce individualized dosage forms will be necessary to provide optimal therapy for every individual patient.”
1. Sebag, Age-related changes in human vitreous structure, Graefe’s Arch. Clin. Exp. Ophthalmology 225 (2) (1987) 89–93, https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02160337
2. Auel et al., The EyeFlowCell: Development of a 3D-Printed Dissolution Test Setup for Intravitreal Dosage Forms. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13: 1394, https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13091394
3. Krause et al., 3D Printing of Mini Tablets for Pediatric Use. Pharmaceuticals 2021; 14: 143, https://doi.org/10.3390/ph14020143
27.05.2025 Thera4Age Seminar with Guest Speaker Dr. Katharina Papsdorf (16:00, Großer Hörsaal at the Biochemistry Building)
We are pleased to announce that our next Thera4Age seminar will take place on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 16:00 in Großer Hörsaal at the Biochemistry Building, Kurt-Mothes-Str. 3, 06120, Halle (Saale). We are delighted to welcome Dr. Katharina Papsdorf, Research Group Leader at Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz, Germany (IMB Mainz) as our Guest Speaker.
Title of Presentation: Mechanism of monounsaturated fatty acid induced longevity
Abstract: Dietary mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) are linked to human longevity and extend lifespan in several species. But the mechanisms by which MUFAs extend lifespan remained unclear. We find that MUFAs upregulate the number of lipid droplets – organelles involved in fat storage and hydrolysis – in fat storage tissues of the nematode C. elegans and that increased lipid droplet number is necessary for MUFA-induced longevity1. Our study uncovers an organelle network involved in lipid homeostasis and lifespan regulation, opening new avenues for interventions to delay aging.
1. Papsdorf K, Miklas JW, Hosseini A, et al. Lipid droplets and peroxisomes are co-regulated to drive lifespan extension in response to mono-unsaturated fatty acids. Nat Cell Biol. 2023;25(5):672-684. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41556-023-01136-6
01.04.2025 Thera4Age Seminar with Guest Speaker Prof. Dr. Birgit Weinberger (16:00, Large Auditorium (Großer Hörsaal), at the Biochemistry Building)
We are pleased to announce that our second Thera4Age seminar will take place on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 16:00 in the Large Auditorium (Großer Hörsaal) at the Biochemistry Building, Kurt-Mothes-Str. 3, 06120, Halle (Saale). We are delighted to welcome Prof. Dr. Birgit Weinberger, Research Group Leader at the University of Innsbruck, Institute for Biomedical Aging Research, Innsbruck, Austria as our Guest Speaker.
Title of Presentation: Vaccination of older adults: Why, what and how?
Abstract: „In addition to basic research on T cells in older adults, my group focuses on adult vaccination, particularly on vaccines for older adults. The incidence and severity of many infectious diseases is increased in older adults. In addition, acute infections are often associated with substantial additional health consequences, such as an increased risk for cardiovascular events and a general functional decline in older age. Older adults are an important target group for vaccination, but age-related changes of the immune system (immunosenescence) hamper the efficacy of some vaccines. Strategies to improve vaccines for older adults will be discussed. In addition, partially unpublished results of a collaborative study investigating cellular and humoral immune responses after influenza and pneumococcal vaccination will be presented.“
18.02.2025 Thera4Age Seminar with Guest Speaker Dr. Clara Correia-Melo (16:00, Large Auditorium (Großer Hörsaal), at the Biochemistry Building)
We are pleased to announce that our first Thera4Age seminar will take place on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 16:00 in the Large Auditorium (Großer Hörsaal) at the Biochemistry Building, Kurt-Mothes-Str. 3, 06120, Halle (Saale). We are delighted to welcome Dr. Clara Correia-Melo, Research Group Leader at the Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Jena, Germany as our Guest Speaker.
Title of Presentation: Host-Microbiome Chemical Signalling and Cancer Modulation
Abstract: „Our group is focused on investigating intercellular chemical communication. My previous research delved into the fundamental molecular biology of aging, particularly regulation of senescence-associated pro-aging phenotypes 1–3. More recently, my work has shifted towards chemical biology of aging, exploring how shared chemical environments influence cellular responses to stress and therapeutic drugs 4,5. In my current lab, we are expanding this research to understand how the chemical crosstalk between cells shapes cellular and tissue function, and how it impacts the initiation, progression, and therapeutic response of diseases during aging. Our work spans host, host-microbiome, and microbial systems, employing bottom-up approaches from in vitro characterization of cell-cell metabolite exchanges to in vivo validation of metabolic modulators of cellular function and therapy efficacy. This is achieved through integrating high-throughput platforms, metabolomics, proteomics, and computational methods. The latest findings, specifically in the context of host-microbiome chemical signaling in colorectal cancer (CRC), will be presented (unpublished). Preliminary screening data, using seven CRC cell lines representing various molecular consensus subtypes and a collection of 25 gut bacterial species identified to correlate positively and negatively with CRC progression in a cohort of CRC patients, showed a bidirectional signalling in CRC modulation. Our data suggests that while some gut bacteria promote CRC cell growth, cancer cells also create a chemical environment conducive to the growth of certain gut bacteria. We are currently investigating the specific chemical signals involved in this bidirectional communication and how this impacts cancer therapy efficacy.“
References:
1. Correia-Melo C. et al., Nat. Protoc. 12:183-194,2017. https://doi.org/10.1038/nprot.2016.159
2. Correia-Melo C. et al., EMBO J. 35:724-742, 2016. https://doi.org/10.15252/embj.201592862
3. Correia-Melo C. et al., Aging Cell 18:e12882, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1111/acel.12882
4. Correia-Melo C. et al., Cell 186:63–79.e21.,2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2022.12.007
5. Yu J. & Correia-Melo C. et al., Nat. Microbiol. 7:542-555, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-022-01072-5
26.11.2024 Thera4Age Kick-off Event (17:00, Jakob-Volhard-Hörsaal, MLU Halle)
Thera4Age Kick-off event brought together over 45 attendees from the participating project teams. Prof. Wischke opened the event with an inspiring introduction on the project’s vision. This was followed by insightful presentations from the sub-project leaders, who outlined their research goals and the innovative approaches they plan to employ. Dr. Gürdal concluded with an overview of the Thera4Age Scientific Coordination Office highlighting the upcoming project-related activities. After the presentations, PIs and attendees enjoyed a networking session over drinks and snacks, fostering connections and collaboration.
11.11.2024 Press release from MLU Halle (Number 140/2024)
Novel therapeutic approaches for age-related diseases are at the core of a new research consortium, „Thera4Age,“ at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU). For this initiative, MLU is receiving over four million euros in funding. Topics include, for example, new treatment strategies for cancer and chronic wounds. The projects are positioned at the intersection of natural and life sciences. Funding is provided by the Ministry of Science of Saxony-Anhalt through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The projects will run until the end of 2027.
Saxony-Anhalt, according to the State Statistical Office, is the German state with the highest average age. „Additionally, increased mortality rates for certain cancers, which occur more frequently with age, have been observed in Saxony-Anhalt,“ says pharmacist Prof. Dr. Christian Wischke, spokesperson for the „Thera4Age“ consortium. Another challenge: diagnostic and therapeutic methods for older patients are often based on studies conducted only in younger groups. „Over the course of life, tissue and organ functions, as well as the regenerative capacity of cells, change. This could mean, for instance, that certain medications work differently in older adults,“ explains co-spokesperson Prof. Dr. Andreas Simm from the Faculty of Medicine.
This is precisely where the individual projects of the consortium come into play. The goal is to develop innovative therapeutic options for age-related diseases. The topics of the five projects are diverse: one project focuses on developing specialized wound dressings for chronic wounds. Two initiatives explore approaches to enhance vaccine efficacy and improve drug delivery systems for older individuals. Another project investigates diagnostic methods and treatment options for colorectal cancer. The fifth project lies at the intersection of nutritional science and medicine, examining the impact of diet on liver health in old age.
Science Minister Prof. Dr. Armin Willingmann also emphasizes the importance of the research projects: „The question of maintaining health and quality of life in old age is of great importance for Germany and especially for Saxony-Anhalt. I am pleased that we can extensively support the groundbreaking research at the University of Halle in this field and wish the researchers much success in their interdisciplinary endeavors. This will benefit Halle as a research hub and, in the long term, patients above all.“
Researchers from all three natural science faculties and the Faculty of Medicine at MLU collaborate on the projects. „Each project is led by two experienced researchers from different disciplines. Their expertise is intended to complement each other and lead to rapid progress,“ explains Wischke. This also includes validating research results through preclinical studies to lay the groundwork for large-scale clinical trials. These are essential for the approval of new drugs and treatment options.
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