Ullrich Lab

The Experimental Immunology and Cell Therapy Division is headed by Evelyn Ullrich, MD, Professor of Cellular Immunology, and includes preclinical and translational research projects as well as education and training in the field of immunology.

Our preclinical research projects focus on immunological questions and the investigation of complex interactions in malignant diseases, immunodeficiencies as well as in stem cell transplantation and infectious complications. Our projects include molecular and functional characterization of cellular components of the immune system with emphasis on the different subpopulations of T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). In experimental models of stem cell transplantation, GVL and GVHD, molecular relationships of immune cell interactions are explored by using innovative technologies. In particular, analyses of the transcriptome and proteome at single cell level provide an in-depth understanding of molecular and cellular patho-mechanisms.

One focus of translational research is the development of innovative cell-based immunotherapies for patients with advanced hemato-oncological diseases. Viral and non-viral technologies for the generation of CAR immune cell products are developed and optimized in a broad range of in vitro/in vivo models. In translational research, the foundations are laid for GMP-compliant manufacturing and clinical application of genetically modified cell therapies and innovative combinatorial treatment concepts.

Current projects address hemato-oncological diseases of childhood and adolescence, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), rhabdomyosarcoma and neuroblastoma, as well as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), multiple myeloma (MM), glioblastoma and other solid tumors in adult patients.

In the field of translational clinical research, immunomonitoring studies are performed in the context of anti-tumor therapies, autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation. In addition, the research addresses the immune regulation of graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) and graft-versus-host (GvH)-induced effects after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Current studies are investigating the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 after mRNA vaccination in patients with hematologic diseases. In a recent joint cooperative approach, analyses of a large cohort of patients with multiple myeloma are performed, as an example of a malignant disease with immune system impairment.

Methods

Cellular Immunotherapy

Viral and non-viral genetic modification of immune and tumor cells using CRISPR/Cas9, Sleeping Beauty and viral vectors (LV/αRV)
Characterization of T cell, NK cell, and ILC subpopulations and immune cell products
Molecular biological analyses and protein biochemistry
Optimization of immune cell expansion and immunomodulation
Development of innovative CAR immune cell products
Preparation of GMP manufacturing processes
Clinical studies in the field of cellular immunotherapy

Immuno-Oncology

Advanced 2D/3D/4D models for evaluation of immunotherapies
Models for the analysis of patho-mechanisms of GVL and GVHD
Models for development of combination therapies

Optical Imaging Technology

Confocal Live Cell Imaging
Flow cytometry and cell sorting (FACS)
In vivo bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging facility

Immunodiagnostics

Immune reconstitution after stem cell transplantation
Functional immune diagnostics
Transcriptome and proteome analyses on single cell level
Biomarker and microbiome analyses

Research Networks and Cooperation Partners

SFB /CRC 1292:

Within the framework of the CRC 1292 "Targeting convergent mechanisms of inefficient immunity in tumors and chronic infections", we investigate the development of innovative immunotherapy of solid tumors as well as AML in cooperation projects with Prof. S. Fulda and Prof. Dr. M. Kühn.

DKTK INNOVATION 2022 - "Cancer Immunotherapy, CI"

Within the framework of the DKTK Joint Funding program INNOVATION 2022 , we address the translational development of a combination therapy for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. Coordinated by Prof. Evelyn Ullrich, Frankfurt, the DKTK sites Freiburg, Tübingen, Heidelberg and Berlin as well as the Paul Ehrlich Institute in Langen are scientific and clinical co-investigators of this program.

The long-term goal of the DKTK Cancer Immunotherapy Program is to fight cancer using the power of the immune system.

German Cancer Aid – Translational Oncology

In an innovative collaborative scientific project led by Prof. Evelyn Ullrich, the translational focus is on the development and production of a CAR-NK cell therapy for the treatment of acute myleoid leukemia. Participating research groups and university hospitals are located in Frankfurt, Heidelberg-Mannheim, Tübingen, Erlangen, Leipzig and at the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI.

Pandemic Network Hesse - Consortium for the Study of the Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2

Within the framework of various studies, the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with hematological diseases will be investigated in comparison to an age-matched control cohort. The focus of the project is to analyze a large cohort of patients with multiple myeloma as an example of a malignant disease with significant impairment of the immune system. The analyses of the healthy control cohort of elderly patients will be performed in close collaboration with the Medical Clinic II, Virology, Infectiology and the UCT Frankfurt - Marburg. The project is realized by funding of Prof. Ullrich as expert for immunology in the Pandemic Network Hessen by the HMWK and also supported by the Goethe Corona Fonds of Goethe University Frankfurt.

Publications

Link to PubMed of Prof. Dr. med. Evelyn Ullrich

Further Education and Career

Clinician Scientist Program INDEEP

Following a highly competitive selection process, a new Clinician Scientist program is funded by the DFG. "Inflammation-Driven Diseases Programme (INDEEP): Inflammation as a Disease Driver and Therapeutic Target" with spokesperson Prof. Evelyn Ullrich and deputy Prof. Sandra Ciesek will start in mid-2023 to train interdisciplinary Clincian Scientists at the Department of Medicine.

Further information: https://aktuelles.uni-frankfurt.de/forschung/millionen-fuer-mehr-freiraum-zur-forschung/

Clinical Training in Immunologie

Since the amendment of the WBO 2020, it is possible to acquire additional training in immunology. This comprises, in addition to a specialist competence, the specialist clinical diagnosis and therapy of immunodeficiencies and immunodysregulation syndromes including immunodiagnostic methods. Further information can be found on the German-language webpage of the LÄKH:
https://www.laekh.de/fuer-aerztinnen-und-aerzte/weiterbildung/neue-weiterbildungsordnung-fuer-hessen-ab-2020.

Training as specialist immunologist DGfI

The German Society for Immunology (DGfI) has granted the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine of the Goethe University Frankfurt the institute authorization for further training as a specialist immunologist DGfI.

Further information can be found on the German-language webpage of the DGfI:
https://dgfi.org/akademie-fuer-immunologie/fachimmunologe/.

Selected Awards

Award by the German Society for Gene Therapy (DG-GT)

The recent work on CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing of NK cells by the research group of Evelyn Ullrich, Frankfurt, and Toni Cathomen, Freiburg, was awarded "Paper of the Quarter 02/22": https://www.dg-gt.de/paper-of-the-quarter

Gilead-Research Award for CAR-NK cell therapy

This Gilead award supports the promising and innovative research project of the Ullrich team. An independent panel of experts selected the best projects from numerous applications and provided the award winners with a total of 600,000 euros in funding.

Further information: https://www.uct-frankfurt.de/ekfk/aktuelles/detail.html?tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=435&cHash=c74a933cef82e1b3fb5c8e82351c0c21

Awards at the ASH and EBMT Annual Meetings

“Best Young Oral Abstract Award” 2023 at the Annual Meeting of the European Society for Bone Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) for Julia Campe (PhD-student Ullrich Lab)
“ASH Abstract Achievement Award” 2022 at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology for Julius Enßle (Clinician Scientist in the SARS-CoV2 research project).
"Springer Nature Poster Award" (Best Basic Science Poster Award) 2021 and "Best Young Abstract Award" 2021 at the Annual Meeting of the European Bone Marrow Transplantation Society (EBMT) for Tobias Bexte (Medical Doctoral Student Ullrich Lab).
"Best Young Abstract Award" 2016 at the Annual Meeting of the European Society for Bone Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) for Sara Tognarelli (Postdoctoral Researcher Ullrich Lab).