Prof. Dr. Kathrin de la Rosa
Immune Mechanisms and Human Antibodies
Immunology and Cancer Department
Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC)
Robert-Rössle-Str. 10
13092 Berlin
Tel: +49 30 9406 2552
E-Mail: Kathrin.delaRosa(at)mdc-berlin.de
https://www.mdc-berlin.de/de-la-rosa
Scientific Scope
Our lab has a strong focus on human immunology, which stems from the fundamental need to deeply understand the human immune system to combat diseases. Particularly, we study B cells, the type of immune cells that produce antibodies.
An enormous diversity of antibodies protects us from various infectious diseases by binding and neutralizing pathogens. During an infection, B cells undergo maturation processes including the acquisition of beneficial mutations followed by subsequent selection to increase the potency of antibodies. However, for some diseases the body’s immune system fails to induce natural protection. We study antibody maturation to understand how diversity is generated and which determinants are important to elicit potent protection.
Using high-throughput cellular and molecular screening methodologies, in vitro cultivation methods, and functional studies, our laboratory seeks out novel applications for B cells and antibodies to preserve human health.
Group Members
- Kathrin de la Rosa - PI
- Lisa Spatt - Technician (Cloning, protein production)
- Christoph Ratswohl - PhD (Novel insert-antibodies)
- Clara Vazquez Garcia - PhD (Novel diversification mechanism)
- Mikhail Lebedin - PhD (Suppression PCR)
- Spela Kned - Erasmus student (Cloning of novel insert-antibodies)
Selected References
- Danner, E., Lebedin, M., de la Rosa, K., & Kühn, R. (2021) "A homology independent sequence replacement strategy in human cells using a CRISPR nuclease." Open biology, 11(1), 200283.
- Petrova, V.N., Sawatsky, B., Han, A.X., Laksono, B.M., Walz, L., Parker, E., Pieper, K., Anderson, C.A., de Vries, R.D., Lanzavecchia, A., Kellam, P., von Messling, V., de Swart, R.L., Russell, C.A.(2019) "Incomplete genetic reconstitution of B cell pools contributes to prolonged immunosuppression after measles." Sci Immunol. 2019 Nov 1;4(41).
- Pieper, K.*, Tan, J.*, Piccoli, L.*, Foglierini, M., Barbieri, S., Chen, Y., Silacci-Fregni, C., Wolf, T., Jarrossay, D., Anderle, M., Abdi, A., Ndungu, F. M., Doumbo, O. K., Traore, B., Tran, T. M., Jongo, S., Zenklusen, I., Crompton, P. D., Daubenberger, C., Bull, P. C., … Lanzavecchia, A. (2017) "Public antibodies to malaria antigens generated by two LAIR1 insertion modalities." Nature, 548(7669), 597–601.
- Tan, J.*, Pieper, K.*, Piccoli, L.*, Abdi, A., Perez, M. F., Geiger, R., Tully, C. M., Jarrossay, D., Maina Ndungu, F., Wambua, J., Bejon, P., Fregni, C. S., Fernandez-Rodriguez, B., Barbieri, S., Bianchi, S., Marsh, K., Thathy, V., Corti, D., Sallusto, F., Bull, P., … Lanzavecchia, A. (2016) "A LAIR1 insertion generates broadly reactive antibodies against malaria variant antigens." Nature, 529(7584), 105–109.
- Pieper, K., Rizzi, M., Speletas, M., Smulski, C. R., Sic, H., Kraus, H., Salzer, U., Fiala, G. J., Schamel, W. W., Lougaris, V., Plebani, A., Hammarstrom, L., Recher, M., Germenis, A. E., Grimbacher, B., Warnatz, K., Rolink, A. G., Schneider, P., Notarangelo, L. D., & Eibel, H. (2014) "A common single nucleotide polymorphism impairs B-cell activating factor receptor's multimerization, contributing to common variable immunodeficiency." The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, 133(4), 1222–1225.