Translational Septomics

Sepsis is a life-threatening infection in which a systemic host response results in the functional restriction or failure of one or more organ systems. Patients can develop sepsis regardless of their age.

In the junior research group Translational Septomics, physicians and scientists work together in the clinic and in the laboratory to develop personalised diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for septic organ failure in order to improve the medium and long-term prognosis of survivors. To this end, the group investigates the underlying systemic and molecular mechanisms and the clinical significance of organ dysfunctions in both acute sepsis and the further course of the condition, with a specific focus on the cardiovascular system and the function of signaling lipids and metabolites. Conceptually, findings from clinical trials are to be further processed in the basic science laboratory, and the translation of the hereby obtained results, perspectively, is to be reintroduced into the clinic.

Iterative study-cycle

In an iterative approach, clinical data and associated bedside observations, as well as the results of the analysis of patient samples in the laboratory, are to be checked and verified for causality. Subsequently, results from laboratory experiments are to be transferred back into the clinical context in order to evaluate a generalisation of the results for the patient.