The aim of Thera4Age is to develop and test new approaches for the treatment of age-related diseases within the framework of application-oriented research. Using five examples of diseases with significant relevance for the ageing population (e.g., tumors, liver and cardiovascular diseases, effective vaccinations, and decubitus care), ten renowned research groups will conduct research within the consortium. The project aims to demonstrate how drug delivery systems can efficiently target ageing cells, how new imaging diagnostics and disease models can more reliably predict therapeutic success (e.g., in colorectal cancer and fatty liver disease), and how wound care for bedridden patients can be improved through innovative wound dressings.
TP1 – Personalized Elastin-Based Wound Dressings for Chronic Wounds
TP1 aims to develop human-analogous tropoelastin as a novel biomaterial for matrices targeting the therapeutic applications in chronic wounds. The biocompatibility and effectiveness of this material will be assessed preclinically in comparison to current technologies.
Prof. Dr. Markus Pietzsch: Chair of Downstream Processing, Institute of Pharmacy
Dr. Franziska Seifert: Senior Scientist at Downstream Processing, Institute of Pharmacy
Prof. Dr. Johannes Wohlrab: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital Halle
Team@TP1
TP2 – Immunosenescence with Particulate Vaccine Carrier
TP2 will utilize patient samples from donors in Saxony-Anhalt (ST) to functionally characterize the level of immunosenescence with increasing age, focusing on antigen-presenting cells and T-cells. The goal is to demonstrate how incorporating antigens (vaccines) and adjuvants into microparticulate carriers can activate these immune cells.
Prof. Dr. Christine Dierks: Department of Internal Medicine IV (Haematology and Oncology), University Hospital Halle
Prof. Dr. Christian Wischke (Spokesperson): Chair of Biopharmaceutics, Institute of Pharmacy
Team@TP2
TP3 – Absorption-Enhancing Lipid Formulations for Senolytics to Control Senescent Cells
The objective of TP3 is to develop improved formulations for senotherapeutics, which enhance bioavailability and minimize food-related absorption effects. The expected outcomes include reduced frailty, improved vascular viability, and potentially enhanced contractile and diastolic ventricular functions.
Prof. Dr. Karsten Mäder: Chair of Pharmaceutical Technology, Institute of Pharmacy
Prof. Dr. Andreas Simm (Co-spokesperson): Head of Interdisciplinary Center for Aging in Halle (IZAH), University Clinic for Heart Surgery, Faculty of Medicine
Team@TP3
TP4 – Diagnostic Tools and New Treatment Strategies for Individualized Therapy of Colorectal Cancer
TP4 focuses on the comparative evaluation of preclinical models (2D cell cultures, 3D „organ-on-a-chip“ tissue cultures, in vivo models, and computational biology) alongside photoacoustic in vivo imaging. These advanced tools will enable the identification and evaluation of pharmacological targets, such as the Serpin family, for colorectal cancer therapy.
Prof. Dr. Jan Laufer: Chair of Medical Physics, Institute of Physics
Dr. Markus Petermann: Junior Research Group Leader at Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacotherapy, Institute of Pharmacy
Team@TP4
TP5 – Models of the Aging Liver as Tools for Testing Therapeutic Options in Elderly Patients
TP5 aims to develop models to investigate key senescence-associated mechanisms influenced by specific dietary components. Furthermore, this subproject seeks to define the role of age-related inflammation in the progression of fatty liver disease.
Prof. Dr. Sonja Keßler: Chair of Experimental Pharmacology for Natural Sciences, Institute of Pharmacy
Prof. Dr. Gabriele Stangl: Chair of Human Nutrition, Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences
Team@TP5
