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Keywords

Multiple Sclerosis, Pregnancy, Autoimmune Diseases, Immune Tolerance, GDF15, Neuroimmune Crosstalk, Reproductive Immunology, Maternal Health, Research Challenges, MS Treatment

Summary

In this episode of the Young Immunologist podcast, Nóra Balzer interviews Jana Sonner, a postdoc at the University Medical Center in Hamburg, discussing the intersection of multiple sclerosis (MS) and pregnancy. They explore how autoimmune diseases typically affect women during their reproductive years, the unique immunological changes that occur during pregnancy, and the implications for maternal and fetal health. The conversation delves into the mechanisms of maternal immune tolerance, the role of GDF15, and the latest research findings on MS and pregnancy. Jana emphasizes the need for more research in reproductive immunology and the importance of including pregnant women in clinical trials to improve treatment outcomes.

Takeaways

• Pregnancy can suppress disease activity in autoimmune diseases.
• Autoimmune diseases often onset during women's reproductive years.
• MS does not typically affect fertility or pregnancy outcomes.
• Disease-modifying therapies may pose risks during pregnancy.
• Maternal immune tolerance is crucial for pregnancy success.
• GDF15 plays a role in immune regulation during pregnancy.
• Peripheral immune system adapts significantly during pregnancy.
• Exclusive breastfeeding may lower postpartum relapse risk in MS.
• Research in reproductive immunology is still underfunded and underexplored.
• Inclusion of pregnant women in clinical trials is essential for better treatment.

Please find some links to work both on MS in general and pregnancy and MS

• https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJM199807303390501?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00281-016-0584-y
• https://www.nature.com/articles/s41583-024-00823-z
• https://www.nature.com/articles/s41577-022-00718-z

Contact details

• Contact: Dr. Jana Sonner, jana.sonner@zmnh.uni-hamburg.de
• Webpage Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis (INIMS): https://www.inims.de

Support the show

The Podcast is hosted by Nóra Balzer -
https://www.instagram.com/balzernora/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/n%C3%B3ra-balzer-253a767b/?originalSubdomain=de


The podcast is supported by the German Association of Immunology (DGfI) - Young Immunologists (YI)
https://dgfi.org/
https://dgfi.org/young-immunologists/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dgfi-yi/
https://twitter.com/YI_dgfi

Become a member today! --> https://dgfi.org/dgfi-en/dgfi-membership/?noredirect=en_US
https://www.yefis.org/

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keywords

academic integrity, plagiarism, intellectual property, research ethics, PhD students, collaborations, scientific publications, open access, patents, copyrights

summary

In this podcast episode, Nora Balzer (Dr rer Nat) discusses the complexities of intellectual property in academia, particularly in the context of a case involving a PhD student accused of plagiarism. The conversation explores the balance between sharing research for public good and protecting intellectual achievements, the challenges of collaborations, and practical advice for PhD students navigating these issues.

takeaways

• Sophie’s case highlights the complexities of academic integrity - reference: https://www.spiegel.de/lebenundlernen/uni/professor-contra-doktorandin-wer-klaut-hier-bei-wem-a-776909.html - accessed on 27-02-2025.
• Intellectual property in academia is often misunderstood.
• The need to protect research can conflict with sharing knowledge.
• Patents and copyrights are crucial but challenging to navigate.
• Open access aims to make research freely available but has costs.
• Collaborations can complicate ownership of research outcomes.
• PhD students should choose their supervisors wisely.
• Reading contracts is essential for understanding rights.
• Building a support network is vital for early career scientists.
• Emotional responses to credit disputes should be managed rationally.

Support the show

The Podcast is hosted by Nóra Balzer -
https://www.instagram.com/balzernora/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/n%C3%B3ra-balzer-253a767b/?originalSubdomain=de


The podcast is supported by the German Association of Immunology (DGfI) - Young Immunologists (YI)
https://dgfi.org/
https://dgfi.org/young-immunologists/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dgfi-yi/
https://twitter.com/YI_dgfi

Become a member today! --> https://dgfi.org/dgfi-en/dgfi-membership/?noredirect=en_US
https://www.yefis.org/

keywords
cardiac research, organoids, 3D cell models, IPS cells, personalized medicine, ethical concerns, organ transplantation, cardiac therapy, cell differentiation

Summary

In this episode of the Young Immunologist podcast - ImmunoChat, Nóra Balzer interviews Fabienne Becker, a PhD candidate at the University Clinic of Düsseldorf, about her work on the HEAL project (101056712 – HLA-homozygous iPSC-cardiomyocytE Aggregate manufacturing technoLogies for allogenic cell therapy to the heart; https://www.heal-horizon.com/), which focuses on using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for cardiac repair. Fabienne discusses her background in chemistry and biochemistry, the process of manufacturing cardiac 3D cell models, and the differences between spheroids and organoids. She highlights the advantages of 3D models over traditional 2D cultures and animal models, the potential of iPSC-derived therapies in personalized medicine, and the ethical concerns surrounding the use of human cells. The conversation also touches on the cost and time implications of producing cardiac organoids, recent advancements in organoid technology, and the future of transplantable heart tissue. Fabienne shares her surprising discoveries in cardiac research and offers advice for aspiring researchers in the field.

Takeaways

• The HEAL project aims to develop cell therapy for heart regeneration.
• Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can differentiate into various cell types.
• 3D cell culture is simpler than many believe.
• Spheroids contain one cell type, while organoids contain multiple.
• Organoids aim to mimic the complexity of real organs.
• Personalized medicine could benefit from iPSC-derived therapies.
• Standardized protocols are needed for consistency in research.
• Ethical concerns exist regarding informed consent for iPSC use.
• 3D models can reduce costs in laboratory settings.
• Patience and perseverance are key in scientific research.

Support the show

The Podcast is hosted by Nóra Balzer -
https://www.instagram.com/balzernora/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/n%C3%B3ra-balzer-253a767b/?originalSubdomain=de


The podcast is supported by the German Association of Immunology (DGfI) - Young Immunologists (YI)
https://dgfi.org/
https://dgfi.org/young-immunologists/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dgfi-yi/
https://twitter.com/YI_dgfi

Become a member today! --> https://dgfi.org/dgfi-en/dgfi-membership/?noredirect=en_US
https://www.yefis.org/

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Welcome to a festive and inspiring episode of the ImmunoChat podcast! In this special holiday edition, the Young Immunologist Board of the German Association of Immunology has shared their top advice to help YOU level up your scientific career in 2025. Whether you're just starting out in your PhD or gearing up for your next big career move, this episode is packed with tips you don’t want to miss.
In this episode, you'll learn:

• Networking like a pro: How to connect with colleagues, mentors, and peers at your institute and beyond, and why building collaborations is key to advancing your career.
• Thinking outside the box: Practical advice on using literature to inspire new experimental ideas and how to pitch novel concepts to your PI.
• Maximizing publishing potential: Angeliki, our expert on ‘publish or perish,’ shares strategies for staying connected, attending seminars, and engaging with the broader scientific community to boost your career and personal growth.
• Practical advice for 2025: From securing the dream job to learning new skills and maintaining a work-life balance—how to stay focused and achieve your goals this year.

✨ Special Announcement: Goal-Setting Master Class for 2025 ✨

Want to start the year strong and actually achieve your goals? Join Dr. Nora Balzer and mental health coach Hanna Sänger for an exclusive Goal-Setting Master Class on January 4th. This online session will cover powerful goal-setting techniques such as IKIGAI, Vision Boards, SMART Goals, and more. Plus, if you're in Bonn, join us for an in-person workshop on January 5th to set your intentions for 2025 in a supportive, community-driven environment.

Sign up now and get ready to crush your goals in 2025!
https://form.jotform.com/243263303785356
use the code: MYGOAL2025

Support the show

The Podcast is hosted by Nóra Balzer -
https://www.instagram.com/balzernora/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/n%C3%B3ra-balzer-253a767b/?originalSubdomain=de


The podcast is supported by the German Association of Immunology (DGfI) - Young Immunologists (YI)
https://dgfi.org/
https://dgfi.org/young-immunologists/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dgfi-yi/
https://twitter.com/YI_dgfi

Become a member today! --> https://dgfi.org/dgfi-en/dgfi-membership/?noredirect=en_US
https://www.yefis.org/

In this episode we chat with Dr. rer. Nat. Angeliki Stamtsis-Datsi the origins of the "publish or perish" culture, how it became so ingrained, and its impact on academic life today.
We compare impact factors and citation metrics, exploring how they shape career trajectories and research priorities.
Delving into ethical challenges, inflated co-authorship and explore new ways of measuring research influence, such as open-access platforms and collaborative projects.
Angeliki is a senior PostDoc in the field of immunotherapies and clinical trials, who shared her valuable thoughts and impressive experiences.
What should be our next episode about? Leave a comment below.

Support the show

The Podcast is hosted by Nóra Balzer -
https://www.instagram.com/balzernora/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/n%C3%B3ra-balzer-253a767b/?originalSubdomain=de


The podcast is supported by the German Association of Immunology (DGfI) - Young Immunologists (YI)
https://dgfi.org/
https://dgfi.org/young-immunologists/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dgfi-yi/
https://twitter.com/YI_dgfi

Become a member today! --> https://dgfi.org/dgfi-en/dgfi-membership/?noredirect=en_US
https://www.yefis.org/

In this episode, we discuss the founding of BioThrust and the development of their stress-free bioreactor technology. Patrick Bongrartz (CEO of BioThrust) explains the importance of biotechnology in everyday life and how their bionic bioreactor system differs from other bioreactors. He shares the challenges and frustrations they faced in the lab and the support they received from the RTWH Aachen University and its startup center. He highlights the value of BioThrust in the community, particularly in the field of stem cell therapies. We talk about the life of a startup founder, fundraising and investors, and the future development of the biotech field. The gender gap in science startups and the mindset change in science towards entrepreneurship are debated as well.

Linkedin BioThrust (https://www.linkedin.com/company/biothrust-de/)

LinkedIn Patrick Bongrartz (https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-bongartz-1106/)

Website BioThrust: www.biothrust.com

Linkedin Investor Freigeist (https://www.linkedin.com/company/freigeistcap/)

Further inspiring entrepreneurs in health&medicine to follow:

Dr. Friederike Kogelheide https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ing-friederike-kogelheide/

Dr. Katharina Koch https://www.linkedin.com/in/katharina-koch-014174112/

Dr. Nele Stadtbäumer https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelestadtbaeumer/

Silke Beaucamp https://www.linkedin.com/in/silke-beaucamp-b644a093/

Support the show

The Podcast is hosted by Nóra Balzer -
https://www.instagram.com/balzernora/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/n%C3%B3ra-balzer-253a767b/?originalSubdomain=de


The podcast is supported by the German Association of Immunology (DGfI) - Young Immunologists (YI)
https://dgfi.org/
https://dgfi.org/young-immunologists/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dgfi-yi/
https://twitter.com/YI_dgfi

Become a member today! --> https://dgfi.org/dgfi-en/dgfi-membership/?noredirect=en_US
https://www.yefis.org/

Summary

In this episode, Nóra interviews Hanna Sänger, an entrepreneur and former scientist, about her startup that aims to improve the well-being of PhD students. They discuss the challenges and struggles faced by PhD students, including toxic work environments, mental health issues, and the pressure to perform. Hanna shares her own experience of leaving her PhD due to a toxic environment and finding a new career path in mental health counseling. They also discuss the importance of multidisciplinary teams, networking, and seeking help. The episode highlights the need for support and resources to improve the mental health of PhD students. The conversation explores the mental health challenges faced by PhD students and offers strategies for support and self-care. Topics discussed include the impact of COVID-19 on PhD students, the difficulties of fitting into a new culture, gender-specific mental challenges, the work-life balance, and the overlap of childbearing age and PhD studies. The conversation concludes with suggestions for PhD students to invest in self-discovery, set healthy boundaries, communicate expectations with supervisors, find peer support, and ask for help when needed.

LinkedIn Kristin Vielberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-vielberg-3689a0258/
LinkedIn Laura Summa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-laura-summa-5471b9a7/
LinkedIn Hanna Sänger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanna-s%C3%A4nger-8b62761a4/
Website Hanna: https://goodthoughts-coaching.de/

Nature PhD Survey 2019: Their results summarized: https://figshare.com/s/74a5ea79d76ad66a8af8?file=18543281

Keywords

PhD students, well-being, toxic work environment, mental health, startup, challenges, struggles, multidisciplinary teams, networking, seeking help, PhD students, mental health, COVID-19, fitting into a new culture, gender-specific challenges, work-life balance, childbearing age, self-discovery, healthy boundaries, communication, peer support, asking for help

Takeaways

• PhD students often face challenges and struggles, including toxic work environments and mental health issues.
• Multidisciplinary teams, networking, and seeking help are important for success and well-being in the PhD journey.
• There is a need for support and resources to improve the mental health of PhD students.
• Leaving a toxic environment and finding a new career path can be a healthy and empowering decision.
• PhD students should pay attention to their own well-being

Support the show

The Podcast is hosted by Nóra Balzer -
https://www.instagram.com/balzernora/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/n%C3%B3ra-balzer-253a767b/?originalSubdomain=de


The podcast is supported by the German Association of Immunology (DGfI) - Young Immunologists (YI)
https://dgfi.org/
https://dgfi.org/young-immunologists/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dgfi-yi/
https://twitter.com/YI_dgfi

Become a member today! --> https://dgfi.org/dgfi-en/dgfi-membership/?noredirect=en_US
https://www.yefis.org/

Summary

This episode of the Young Immunologist podcast discusses mental health during a PhD journey. The guest, Julian, shares his personal experience with mental health issues during his PhD and the challenges he faced. He emphasizes the importance of having empathetic people around and finding support from others who have similar experiences. The episode also highlights the impact of academic pressure on mental health and the need for institutional support. The conversation concludes with three tips for dealing with stress and maintaining mental wellbeing. The conversation explores the topics of negative thinking, anxiety, overcoming mental health challenges, personal growth, self-acceptance, and seeking help and support.

Takeaways

• Having empathetic people around and finding support from others who have similar experiences is crucial for mental wellbeing during a PhD journey.
• Academic pressure and the fear of failure can contribute to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
• Seeking professional help and support from psychologists or therapists is important for managing mental health during a PhD.
• Being kind to oneself and acknowledging small successes is essential for maintaining mental wellbeing.
• The mindset and thinking process play a significant role in managing stress and maintaining mental health. Negative thinking can lead to anxiety and panic disorders.
• Challenging mental health issues is a process that takes time and effort.
• Facing and overcoming mental health challenges can lead to personal growth and self-acceptance.
• Seeking help and support from trusted individuals or professional resources is crucial in managing mental health.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction

02:18
Julian's PhD Project

03:55
Mental Wellbeing during PhD

07:14
Imposter Syndrome and Mental Struggles in Academia

10:15
First Signs of Mental Health Issues

17:14
Academic Pressure and Mental Health

19:00
Seeking Help and Support

23:19
Substance Abuse and Mental Health

29:00
Impact of Environment and Supportive Network

36:15
PI's Support and Empathy

39:04
Three Tips for Dealing with Stress

44:27
Negative Thinking and Anxiety

48:47
Overcoming Mental Health Challenges

50:59
Personal Growth and Self-Acceptance

51:26
Seeking Help and Support

Support the show

The Podcast is hosted by Nóra Balzer -
https://www.instagram.com/balzernora/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/n%C3%B3ra-balzer-253a767b/?originalSubdomain=de


The podcast is supported by the German Association of Immunology (DGfI) - Young Immunologists (YI)
https://dgfi.org/
https://dgfi.org/young-immunologists/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dgfi-yi/
https://twitter.com/YI_dgfi

Become a member today! --> https://dgfi.org/dgfi-en/dgfi-membership/?noredirect=en_US
https://www.yefis.org/