“An ERC Advanced Grant is the top tier of European research funding. The fact that this award has been granted to University Medicine Greifswald for the first time is a historic success for our institution, as well as for Prof. Greinacher and his team. It underlines the international visibility and scientific excellence of research in Greifswald,” said Prof. Dr. Karlhans Endlich, Scientific Director of the University Medicine Greifswald, clearly delighted by the news.
The ERC Advanced Grant is one of the most prestigious lines of funding for established researchers in Europe. In the current call for proposals, more than 3,300 applications were submitted across Europe; fewer than ten per cent of the projects will receive funding. The grant is regarded as one of Europe’s highest scientific honours and is awarded exclusively to internationally renowned researchers whose projects have the potential to set new standards in their field.
From unravelling rare immune reactions to the future of transfusion medicine
Two closely interlinked research approaches form the core of PROTECT. In the PREVENT part of the project, the team is investigating the mechanisms underlying anti-PF4-mediated immune responses. These include vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), and other related conditions. The aim is to gain a better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of these conditions and to develop strategies to prevent such severe immune responses in the future, or to limit their effects.
Andreas Greinacher’s research group attracted international attention for its work on VITT during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Greifswald-based researchers were the first to describe the condition and made a significant contribution to clarifying the underlying immunological mechanisms. The subsequently developed diagnostic procedures and treatment strategies have been implemented across the world.
The second part of the project, BYPASS, pursues a new approach in transfusion medicine. Instead of searching for rare compatible blood donors, the researchers aim to remove surface antigens directly from donor blood cells. The goal is to specifically modify blood cells in such a way that they become easier to tolerate even for patients with rare or complex antibody profiles. In the long term, this could greatly simplify the care of patients with complex antibody profiles, potentially triggering a paradigm shift in transfusion medicine.
“PROTECT combines fundamental immunological research with specific clinical applications. Our aim is to improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying severe immune responses and to use our findings to develop new strategies for prevention and treatment,” explained Andreas Greinacher.
The Greifswald-based researcher has been conducting research in the fields of thrombosis, immunohaematology, and transfusion medicine for more than three decades. Even after stepping down from his full professorship, he continues his research as a senior professor at University Medicine Greifswald. His research is performed in close collaboration with colleagues at the University of Greifswald.
The funding will be used to establish an interdisciplinary research team at University Medicine Greifswald. “The ERC Grant builds on many years of research and international cooperation at the Institute of Transfusion Medicine and University Medicine Greifswald,” emphasised Prof. Dr. Karlhans Endlich. “This will benefit not only the researchers involved, but also, in the long term, Greifswald as a location for research.”
Further information
The European Research Council (ERC) is regarded as the most important European institution for the funding of outstanding basic research. ERC grants are awarded solely on the basis of scientific excellence and are among the most prestigious funding lines that the international research community can compete for. These grants are aimed at established researchers with an outstanding scientific record and an internationally visible research agenda. Further information at https://erc.europa.eu
Contact at University Medicine Greifswald
Christian Arns
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University Medicine Greifswald
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Tel.: +49 3834 86 5288
christian.arnsmed.uni-greifswaldde