Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI and Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Arts join forces in the field of protein biomarker development

On 20 September 2016, Professor Susanne Aileen Funke, Vice President of Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HaW Coburg), and Professor Frank Emmrich, Director of the Fraunhofer IZI, concluded a cooperation agreement between the two research institutes.

Dr. Jörg Lehmann (left), Professor Susanne Aileen Funke (middle), Professor Stefan Kalkhof (right)
© Fraunhofer IZI
Dr. Jörg Lehmann (l.), Professor Susanne Aileen Funke (m.), Professor Stefan Kalkhof (r.) and Professor Frank Emmrich (not pictured) concluded the cooperation agreement between the Fraunhofer IZI and Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Arts on 20 September 2016.

The cooperation is centered around the takeover of the Protein Biomarker Unit in the Department of Therapy Validation by Professor Stefan Kalkhof, who also holds the research professorship for instrumental bioanalytics at the HaW Coburg. The cooperation aims to identify and validate proteins which can subsequently be used in analytical and diagnostic procedures.

“While we are able to identify and characterize relevant biomarkers using mass spectrometric procedures in Coburg, we can validate them and prepare them for clinical application using antibody-based procedures in the Leipzig unit,” comments Professor Kalkhof, summarizing the complementary approach pursued by the cooperation. Our new colleague will find all of the expertise required to develop and manufacture high-affinity antibodies in the Department of Therapy Validation at the Fraunhofer IZI, besides a quality management system certified in accordance with GLP (Good Laboratory Practice). The newly formed unit supplements the existing range of services offered by the Department of Therapy Validation with bioanalytical expertise.

Further contact

Prof. Dr. Stefan Kalkhof
Phone +49 341 35536-1209
stefan.kalkhof@izi.fraunhofer.de