Progress Report 2025
Content
To our Readers
Prof. Dr. Norbert Krug, Institute Director at Fraunhofer ITEM
At Fraunhofer ITEM, we combine scientific excellence with the transfer into application.
“Pioneers for sustainable health” – that is our vision!
Living organisms – and organizations as well – are subject to a natural cycle of development. Periods of growth alternate with phases of consolidation. Structures are reviewed, reorganized, and adapted to changing conditions.
As a research organization, we too are in such a phase. External factors such as economic and political uncertainties, along with intense competition, are shaping our environment. At the same time, internal consolidation processes and strategic realignment are providing important momentum for our continued development. The upcoming transition in the leadership of Fraunhofer ITEM at the end of 2026 will open up additional perspectives.
At the same time, one thing remains unchanged: our commitment to driving innovation and providing answers to the health research questions of tomorrow through scientific excellence.
Our research is powered by the ideas, dedication, and spirit of discovery of our scientists. We began 2026 with great energy and a wide range of exciting projects and topics. The breadth of our expertise is reflected in the highlights of the past year – from stem cell technologies with applications in wound healing and mini-hearts to advances in lung research, toxicology, immunology, and cancer research, as well as RNA technologies, medical and pharmaceutical technology, applied bioinformatics, and artificial intelligence.
This diversity reflects our interdisciplinary strength and our conviction that the best solutions emerge at the intersections of disciplines.
Every employee contributes to transforming scientific insights into practical, application-oriented solutions – solutions that benefit human health, protect the environment, and thereby serve our society. For this commitment, I would like to thank all employees of the institute, as well as our partners in science, industry, and government.
I invite you to explore our digital annual report and gain insight into the capabilities, innovative strength, and forward-looking vision of Fraunhofer ITEM.
Yours sincerely,
Norbert Krug, Institute Director
Fraunhofer ITEM:
Pioneers for Sustainable Health
That is our vision!
Do you want to learn more?
About the Institute
The focus of Fraunhofer ITEM is on toxicology and respiratory research. The research centers on two main aspects: on the one hand, protecting man from potentially harmful substances, particularly those transmitted through the air – such as gases, aerosols, particles, fibers, or nanomaterials – and on the other hand, researching and developing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches at both the preclinical and clinical levels.
Our Organizational Structure
Headed by the institute director Prof. Norbert Krug, Fraunhofer ITEM is organized in four divisions, central services and four additional staff offices (as of 01.04.2026).
More Information:
Furthermore, Fraunhofer ITEM hosts the Fraunhofer Attract Group “IMMUNITY – designer cells: novel immune cell platforms for health research”. The grant program “Fraunhofer Attract” offers outstanding external scientists the opportunity to develop their ideas towards actual applications close to the market within an optimally equipped Fraunhofer Institute.
The Fraunhofer ITEM headquarters are in Hannover (Germany). The Division of Personalized Tumor Therapy is based in Regensburg’s BioPark.
The “Pharmaceutical Biotechnology” division at the Braunschweig site had been part of Fraunhofer ITEM since 2008 but was transferred to AveThera GmbH effective March 16, 2026, and is therefore no longer represented here.
The Advisory Board of Fraunhofer ITEM
The Advisory Board of the individual Fraunhofer Institutes act as purely advisory bodies to their institute’s management. The members come from academia, industry, and government agencies.
As of march 2026.
Chairman
Prof. Clive Page, OBE, Ph.D.
Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London (UK)
Deputy Chairman
Prof. Dr. Edith M. Hessel (Deputy Chair)
Pharma Executive and former Chief Scientific Officer at Relation Therapeutics Ltd. and Mestag Therapeutics Ltd.
Members of the Advisory Board
Dr. Karin Conde-Knape
Former Senior Vice President Global Drug Discovery, Novo Nordisk A/S (Denmark)
Prof. Dr. Paul-Georg Germann
Global Head and Vice President of Chemical and Preclinical Safety (CPS), Biopharma, R&D, Discovery and Development Technologies,
Merck Healthcare KGaA
Prof. Dr. Susanne Herold
Director of the Clinic for Infectiology and Hospital Hygiene, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg
Prof. Denise Hilfiker-Kleiner, Ph.D.
President and Board Member for Research and Education, Hannover Medical School
Prof. Dr. Dr. Ralf Huss
Managing Director of BioM BioTech Cluster Development GmbH, Munich
Dr. Eckhard Schwenner
CEO Health-I Business Consulting
Anna Teschner
Head of the Division of Life Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences and Academic Libraries, Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture
Dr. Tewes Tralau
Vice President, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR)
Our Services
Focus on Human Health
Drug Development
From Drug Candidate to Proof of Concept
Chemical Safety and Assessment
From Risk Analysis towards Safe Products
Translational Biomedical Engineering
From Idea to Safe Medical Product
Personalized Tumor Therapy
From Molecular Analysis to Personalized Therapy
Staff and Operating Budget
Fraunhofer ITEM Staff
Development of staff numbers.
[As of 31.12.2025]
Employment Categories
In 2025, our employees worked in the following employment categories and came from a total of 14 different countries.
65 percent were women.
[As of 31.12.2025]
Total Budget
The operating budget in 2025 amounted to approximately 42.7 million euros.
Fraunhofer ITEM’s investments totaled 1.3 million euros.
Total budget 2025:
44 million euros
[As of 31.03.2026]
Fraunhofer ITEM Sponsors and External Income
In 2025, 60 percent of our funding came from self-generated income.
The share of industry revenue in the operating budget amounted to 41 percent.
[As of 31.03.2026]
Did you know that…
Fraunhofer ITEM has been officially accredited by AAALAC International (Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International) since 2025?
This accreditation highlights the institute’s commitment to the responsible, ethical, and humane treatment of animals in research – going beyond legal requirements.
- researchers from Fraunhofer ITEM and MHH won the Lower Saxony Innovation Award 2025 with the iGUARD project?
The project focuses on developing inhalable RNA therapeutics for the targeted treatment of lung diseases. The award was presented by Minister of Science Falko Mohrs.
- Fraunhofer ITEM is now an Article 36 organization of EFSA?
Its official inclusion in the list of so-called Article 36 organizations marks an important step in strengthening the institute’s role in the European research landscape for food safety.
Our R&D Expertise: Projects and Highlights
R&D Expertise "Lung Research"
Airway research has been a core focus of Fraunhofer ITEM since the institute was founded. In addition to protecting human health from potentially harmful substances – particularly airborne substances – the institute’s work focuses on the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Birch Pollen and Allergy Risk
Study Defines Threshold for Initial Symptoms. Read more
COPD Study with Tiotropium/Olodaterol
New Insights into the Dynamics of the Heart, Lungs, and Nervous System. Read more
Breakthrough in Inhaled Therapies
Drug Concentrations in the Human Lung Measurable for the First Time. Read more
First Use of a DNA-Based Drug Candidate
Phase 1 Study Investigates Novel Therapy for House Dust Mite Allergy. Read moreR&D Expertise "Toxicology"
Fraunhofer ITEM conducts toxicological testing of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices, with a focus on inhalation toxicology and highly specialized exposure technology. The institute’s work is guided by the 3R principle: reducing animal testing, developing alternative methods, and implementing replacement approaches. In addition, test systems based on human cells and tissues increase the relevance of the results for humans.
Carbon Fiber Materials
Influence of Fiber Rigidity and Diameter on Toxicity. Read more
Bio and Environmental Analytics
Expansion of Metabolomics Research Capacities at Fraunhofer ITEM. Read more
A Unified PBK Model of the Human Lung
Modeling the Inhalation of Gases and Aerosols. Read more
Precision-Cut Human Liver Slices as a New Methodological Approach
An Immunocompetent Model for Risk Assessment of Immune-Mediated Drug-Induced Liver Injury. Read more
Ultrashort-Pulse Laser Material Processing
Toxicological Assessment of Generated Ultrafine Dust. Read moreR&D Expertise "Immunology and Infection Research"
Fraunhofer ITEM investigates and develops anti-infective agents, including inhalable, airborne formulations. In immunology, the institute focuses on individualized therapies for immune-related and inflammatory diseases. Advanced in-vitro and ex-vivo models as well as human organ models are used – with a particular focus on lung and airway diseases.
R&D Expertise "Medical and Pharmaceutical Engineering"
For the safety assessment of medical devices, Fraunhofer ITEM specifically applies the concept of Next Generation Risk Assessment, using model-based approaches such as read-across, QSAR, and TTC to avoid animal testing. In parallel, the researchers are further developing diagnostic methods such as single-cell analysis and liquid biopsies to identify new approaches for personalized cancer therapy.
PREPARE Project DUSTIN Launched
Drug-Free Autoimmune Therapy - Fraunhofer Drives Ahead with Selective Nerve Stimulation. Read moreR&D Expertise "RNA Technologies"
Fraunhofer ITEM develops RNA-based therapeutics and formulations for innovative treatments – from target identification to preclinical development. Bioinformatic models, inhalation strategies, and patient-relevant model systems are used in the process. For diagnostics and therapy, the institute uses RNA expression profiles as biomarkers to characterize diseases and predict therapeutic response.
Telomerase-modRNA
A Novel RNA-Based Approach to Treat Pulmonary Fibrosis. Read moreR&D Expertise "Malignant Disease Research"
Fraunhofer ITEM conducts research into personalized therapies for cancer – with a focus on liquid biopsy, single-cell analysis, and patient-specific ex-vivo models. High-throughput screenings are used to test and bioinformatically evaluate new drug candidates. For the risk assessment of non-genotoxic substances, the institute also relies on modern in-vitro models and QSAR approaches.
R&D Expertise "Malignant Disease Research"
Fraunhofer ITEM conducts research into personalized therapies for cancer – with a focus on liquid biopsy, single-cell analysis, and patient-specific ex vivo models. High-throughput screenings are used to test and bioinformatically evaluate new drug candidates. For the risk assessment of non-genotoxic substances, the institute also relies on modern in vitro models and QSAR approaches.
New Approaches in Melanoma Research
Models Derived from Micrometastases Enable Personalized Therapeutic Strategies. Read more
MED-connect
Fraunhofer-Plattform für medizinische Forschungsdaten und Datenforschung. Mehr lesenR&D Expertise "Bioinformatics and AI"
Using bioinformatics and artificial intelligence, Fraunhofer ITEM analyzes complex biomedical data to support personalized therapies, diagnostics, and risk assessments. Researchers develop analysis pipelines, models for patient stratification, and imaging data analysis tools – providing a foundation for data-driven decision-making in both research and clinical practice.
DigitaLung
User-centered Web Application for the Analysis of Respiratory Sounds Using Machine Learning. Read moreR&D Expertise "Stem Cell Technologies"
Fraunhofer ITEM develops stem cell technologies for human-relevant safety and efficacy testing of pharmaceuticals and chemicals. The focus is on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), which are used to generate immune and cardiac cells as well as complex organoid models. Both standardized and patient-specific cell models are used, with an emphasis on disease modeling, toxicity testing, and animal-free testing systems.
Immune Cells for Space Applications
Fraunhofer Researchers Develop new Approaches to Wound Healing under Extreme Conditions. Read more
Stem Cell Technologies
Our Researchers Demonstrate how Immune Cells Can be Produced Reliably and in a Standardized Way for Research and Drug Development. Watch Video on YouTubeR&D Expertise "Stem Cell Technologies"
Fraunhofer ITEM develops stem cell technologies for human-relevant safety and efficacy testing of pharmaceuticals and chemicals. The focus is on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), which are used to generate immune and cardiac cells as well as complex organoid models. Both standardized and patient-specific cell models are used, with an emphasis on disease modeling, toxicity testing, and animal-free testing systems.
Immune Cells for Space Applications
Fraunhofer Researchers Develop new Approaches to Wound Healing under Extreme Conditions. Read moreStem Cell Technologies
Our Researchers Demonstrate how Immune Cells Can be Produced Reliably and in a Standardized Way for Research and Drug Development. Watch Video on YouTubeNames, Dates and Facts
Being a research institution, our ambition is to find answers to questions and solutions for problems that are relevant to society and also to companies with regard to human health. In our research, we collaborate with national and international scientific organizations and actively participate in a broad range of panels. Unless precluded by the terms of the contract, we publish our results in renowned scientific journals and present them at congresses and meetings.
Here you will find details of our active participation in committees and a comprehensive list of contact persons for the different research topics. In addition, our website provides up-to date information throughout the year.
Prof. Dr. Christian Bär
- D./Ph.D. Commission Molecular Medicine of the Hannover Biomedical Research School (HBRS) of the Hannover Medical School (MHH)
- D. Examination Board for Anatomy and Cell Biology at the Hannover Medical School (MHH)
- Nucleus member of the Working Group on Myocardial Function (WG 4) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)
- Nucleus member of the Working Group on Cardiovascular Regenerative and Reparative Medicine of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)
- Nucleus member of the Working Groups on Cardiovascular Regeneration “AG 31 Kardiovaskuläre Regeneration” of the German Cardiac Society (DGK)
- Program Committee Medical Scientist Programme of the Hannover Medical School (MHH)
- Member of the editorial board of the international journal “Molecular Therapy Nucleic Acids“
- Reviewer for numerous national and international organizations and foundations, incl. German Research Foundation (DFG), German Cardiac Society (DGK), Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF), Irish Research Council (IRC) and AFM-Telethon, Horizon 2020 (HADEA)
- Reviewer for international journals in cardiovascular diseases and therapies (incl. “Nature”, “Nature Medicine”, “Nature Communications”, “Nature Reviews Cardiology“, “European Heart Journal“, “Circulation Research“, “Cardiovascular Research“, “npj Regenerative Medicine“, “Advanced Science“, “ESC Heart Failure“, “Basic Research in Cardiology“, “Molecular Therapy“, and “Circulation”)
- Associate Editor for the journal Molecular Therapy
Dr. Annette Bitsch
- Board member of the German Toxicology Society (GT)
- Working Group on Endocrine Effects of the German Society of Toxicology (GT)
- Reviewer for project proposals submitted to the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU)
Katharina Blümlein Ph.D.
- Working group on analyses in biological materials “Analysen in biologischem Material” of the German Research Foundation (DFG)
Prof. Dr. Armin Braun
- MD/Ph.D. commission “Molecular Medicine” of the Hannover Medical School (MHH)
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL)
- External assessor for international foundations
- Reviewer for international journals in respiratory medicine and immunology (incl. “Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology”)
Dr. Franziska Breuer
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Commission on Plant Protection Products and Biocidal Products
Dr. Gustav Bruer
- Working Group on “Respiratory Toxicology” of the German Toxicology Society (GT)
- Reviewer for international journals in pharmacology and toxicology (“Nature Research – Scientific Reports”)
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Commission on Consumer Products
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Committee on Toxicology
Dr. Sylvia Escher
- OECD Expert Group on Systemic Toxicity
- Working Group on Computational Toxicology of the German Toxicology Society (GT)
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Commissions on Evidence-Based Methods in Risk Assessment and Contaminants in the Food Chain
- Working Group 1 (WG1) of the European Research Area (ERA) Policy Action on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)
Priv.-Doz. Dr. Jan Fiedler
- Program committee for the Ph.D. program “Regenerative Sciences” at the Hannover Biomedical Research School (HBRS)
- Reviewer for international journals in preclinical cardiopulmonary research
Dr. Ulrich Froriep
- German Society for Implant Research and Development (DGIFE)
- Member of the Focus Group Medical Technology of the IVAM Microtechnology Network
- MDR Competence
Dr. Jens Gerdelmann
- Working Groups on “GLP: Quality Assurance/Monitoring,” “GCP Quality Management,” and “Analytics” of the German Quality Management Association (GQMA)
Dr. Stefan Hahn
- Chair of the German Chemical Society (GDCh) Division of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology
- Member of the German Chemical Society (GDCh), division of Water Chemistry Society “Wasserchemische Gesellschaft”
- Working Committee on Chemical Risk Assessment of the German Chemical Society (GDCh) division of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology “Umweltchemie und Ökotoxikologie”
- Member of the International Society of Exposure Science (ISES); Working Group Exposure models of ISES Europe
- Member of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
- Reviewer for international journals in environmental and exposure sciences (incl. “Environmental Science Europe”, “Annals of Work Exposures and Health”, and “Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology”)
Martina Heina
- IT Division of the International Association for Pharmaceutical Technology (APV)
- Working Groups on Archiving and Information Technology of the German Quality Management Association (GQMA)
Dr. Christina Hesse
- Member of the research network “Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover” (BREATH) within the German Center for Lung Research e. V. (DZL)
Dr. Martin Hoffmann
- Working Group on Bioinformatics at Comprehensive Cancer Center Ostbayern (CCCO)
Prof. Dr. Jens Hohlfeld
- External assessor for the German Research Foundation (DFG)
- Steering Committee of the research network “Biomedical Research in Endstage And ObsTructive Lung Disease Hannover” (BREATH) within the German Center for Lung Research (DZL)
- Board member of the Interdisciplinary Allergy Center of the Hannover Medical School (MHH)
- Reviewer for international journals (incl. “American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine”, “European Respiratory Journal”, and “Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology”)
Stefanie Katzensteiner
- Working Group on GCP Quality Management of the German Quality Management Association (GQMA)
Dr. Rupert Kellner
- Councilor for electronic communication and member of the Executive Board of the European Society of Toxicologic Pathology (ESTP)
- Global Editorial and Steering Committee (GESC) for the initiative “International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria” (INHAND)
Prof. Dr. Christoph Klein
- External assessor for numerous national and international organizations and foundations: German Research Foundation, German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Wilhelm Sander Foundation for Cancer Research, ERC, Deutsche Krebshilfe, Christian Doppler Research Association, Dutch Cancer Society, Association for International Cancer Research, EU-FP7, MRC, Cancer Research UK, Kegg-Foundation
- Deputy chairman of the scientific committee of Comprehensive Cancer Center Ostbayern (CCCO)
- Deputy spokesperson of the “Lighthouse Group – Omics, Genomics and Liquid Biopsy” of the Bavarian Center for Cancer Research (BKFZ)
- Member of the advisory board of Bioᴹ Biotech Cluster Development GmbH
- Reviewer for international journals in oncology (incl. “Nature”, “Nature Biotechnology”, “Nature Cell Biology”, “Nature Medicine”, “Cancer Cell”, “Science”, “PNAS”, “American Journal of Pathology”, “Cancer Research”, “Clinical Cancer Research”, “International Journal of Cancer”, “Nucleic Acid Research”, “European Journal of Immunology”, “Lancet Oncology”, “European Journal of Cancer”, “PLOS ONE”, and “Oncotarget”)
Prof. Dr. Norbert Krug
- Chair of the Clinical Trial Board of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL)
- Steering committee of the research network “Biomedical Research in Endstage And ObsTructive Lung Disease Hannover” (BREATH) within the German Center for Lung Research (DZL)
- External assessor for the German Research Foundation (DFG)
- Steering committee of the Fraunhofer Research Cluster “Immune-Mediated Diseases” (Fraunhofer CIMD)
- Scientific advisory committee of the German Society for Allergology and Clinical Immunology (DGAKI)
- DEAL project group of the Alliance of Science Organizations in Germany
- Working Group “Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and Deutsche Hochschulmedizin”
- Reviewer for international journals in allergology, immunology, and respiratory diseases
- Selection Committee for NIHR Research Professorships, UK
Prof. Dr. Nico Lachmann
- Member of the Mentoring Program „German Stem Cell Network“ (GSCN)
- Member of the Mentoring Program „via:mento international“, Kiel University (Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel)
- Jury Member Joachim Herz Fellowship Program, Joachim Herz Foundation, Hamburg
- Jury Member, ScheringPlus Fellowship Program, Schering Foundation, Berlin
- Board Member, PhD Program „Regenerative Sciences“, Hannover Medical School (MHH)
- Organizer of the International UniStem Day (Hannover), Hannover Medical School
- Extended Board of the German Stem Cell Network (GSCN)
- EU Deputy Representative of the Hannover Medical School (MHH)
- Senate Section II of the Hannover Medical School (MHH)
- Spokesperson and coordinator of the Medical Scientist Kolleg “Regenerate Organ Function; nextGENERATION” at the Hannover Medical School (MHH)
- Steering Committee REBIRTH – Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine at the Hannover Medical School (previously REBIRTH cluster of excellence “From REgenerative BIology to Recontructive THerapy”)
- External assessor for numerous national and international organizations incl. the European Research Council (ERC) and the German Research Foundation (DFG)
- Reviewer for numerous international journals (incl. “Nature”, “Nature Immunology”, “Nature Reviews Immunology”, “Nature Reviews Disease Primer”, “Nature Communications”, “Nature Communications Medicine”, “Nature Biomedical Engineering”, “Cell Stem Cell”, “iScience”, “Stem Cell Reports”, “eBioMedicine”, and “AJRCCM”)
Dr. Oliver Licht
- Working Group on Regulatory Toxicology of the German Toxicology Society (GT)
- Public relations delegate of the German Toxicology Society (GT)
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Commission on Consumer Products
Fabian Müller
- MDR Competence
Dr. Meike Müller
- Network of ombudspersons in Lower Saxony
Dr. Gerhard Pohlmann
- MDR Competence
Priv.-Doz. Dr. Bernhard Polzer
- Reviewer for the Wilhelm Sander-Stiftung for Cancer Research, the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung, and the German Research Foundation (DFG)
- Reviewer for international journals in the fields of pathology and oncology (Cancers, Chemical Science, Cytometry A, International Journal of Cancer, Journal of Visualized Experiments, Oncotarget, Scientific Reports, Expert Reviews of Molecular Diagnostics, and Molecular Oncology)
- Member of the clinical study groups “Primary and Secondary Malignant Brain Tumours in Adults” and “CNS Tumours in Children and Adolescents”, and member of the “Lighthouse Omics/Genomics Liquid Biopsy” at the Bavarian Center for Cancer Research (BKFZ)
Prof. Dr. Antje Prasse
- External assessor for the German Research Foundation (DFG)
- Board member of the Scientific Working Group for the Therapy of Lung Diseases (WATL)
- Board member of Deutsche Atemwegsliga e. V.
- Board member of the World Association of Sarcoidosis and other Granulomatous Disorders (WASOG)
- Coordinator of the ILD group in the European Reference Network on Respiratory Diseases ERN-LUNG
- Spokesperson for the disease area “DPLD” in the research network “Biomedical Research in Endstage And ObsTructive Lung Disease Hannover” (BREATH) within the German Center for Lung Research (DZL)
- Deputy member of the Ph.D. admissions committee of the Hannover Medical School (MHH)
- Reviewer for international journals (incl. “American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine”, “European Respiratory Journal”, “Journal of Clinical Investigation”, “JCI Insights”, “Nature Communications”, “American Journal of Respiratory and Cell Biology”, and “Thorax”)
- Associate editor of “PLOS ONE”
Prof. Dr. Tobias Pukrop
- Chairman of the working committee on malignant tumors of the CNS “ZNS Malignome” of the German Society of Hematology and Oncology
- Board member/deputy speaker of CCC Alliance WERA
- Steering board of the working panel on CNS/leptomeningeal spread “ZNS/Meningeosis” of the working group on internal oncology “Arbeitsgemeinschaft Internistische Onkologie (AIO)” of the German Cancer Society (DKG)
- Steering board of the Molecular Tumor Board of the University of Regensburg
- Steering board of the Brain Tumor Center (ZHT) of the University of Regensburg
- Executive Board of the Bavarian Center for Cancer Research (BKFZ)
- European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)
Priv.-Doz. Dr. Susanne Rittinghausen
- Permanent Senate Commission of the German Research Foundation (DFG) for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area (MAK Commission)
- “Guess What” committee of the European Society of Toxicologic Pathology (ESTP)
- Global Editorial and Steering Committee (GESC) for the initiative “International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria” (INHAND)
- INHAND (International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria) organ working groups “Respiratory System”, “Endocrine System”, “Special Senses” and “Soft Tissue”
- Wissenschaftliches Mitglied der ständigen Senatskommission zur Prüfung gesundheitsschädlicher Arbeitsstoffe (MAK-Kommission) der DFG
Dirk Schaudien Ph.D.
- INHAND (International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria) working groups “Non-rodents: Minipig”, “Respiratory System”, and “Skeletal Tissues (Bones, Joints and Teeth)”
- “Pathology 2.0” committee of the European Society of Toxicologic Pathology (ESTP)
- “Guess What” committee of the European Society of Toxicologic Pathology (ESTP)
Dr. Stefanie Scheffler
- Working Group on E-Cigarettes and Liquids for E-Cigarettes of the DIN Standards Committee “Food and Agricultural Products”
- Reviewer for the international journals “Cardiovascular Toxicology” and “Scientific Reports”
Dr. Sven Schuchardt
- Treasurer of the German Society for Metabolome Research
- Working Group on Air Analyses “Luftanalysen” of the German Research Foundation (DFG)
- Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften – ISAS – e. V. (Leibniz Institute for Analytical Sciences)
- SAE AC-9M Cabin Air Measurement Committee
Dr. Florian Schulz
- DFG Senate Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area (MAK Commission): working group on the definition of threshold limit values for dusts
- Committee on Hazardous Substances of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (AGS), Subcommittee III “Hazard Assessment”, Working Group Metals and Working Group Fibers/Dust
- Advisory Board of the European Certification Board for Mineral Wool Products (EUCEB)
- External expert in the quality control committee of the mineral wool quality assurance association “RAL-Güteqemeinschaft Mineralwolle” (GGM)
Dr. Katherina Sewald
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL): Young Scientists committee
- Member of the Expert Group Human Tissue of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI), Europe
- Executive committee on basic research in the research network “Biomedical Research in Endstage And ObsTructive Lung Disease Hannover” (BREATH) within the German Center for Lung Research (DZL)
- Mentor in the Fraunhofer TALENTA career program for female scientists
- External assessor for international research grants
- Reviewer for the international journals
Dr.-Ing. Ute Urban
- MDR Competence
Dr. Jens Warfsmann
- Working Group on Bioinformatics at Comprehensive Cancer Center Ostbayern (CCCO)
Prof. Dr. Lena Wiese
- Special interest group “Digital Health” and Working Group on Data Science and Data Engineering of the German Informatics Society
Dr. Dorothee Winterberg
- Working Group on Respiratory Toxicology “Respirationstoxikologie” of the German Toxicology Society (GT)
- Association of Inhalation Toxicologists (AIT)
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL)
- Member of the Drug Commission (AKZ) of the German Dental Association
Dr. Christina Ziemann
- Chair of the Working Group on Statistics of the German Society for Environmental Mutation Research (GUM)
- Working Group on Genotoxicity of the DIN Standards Committee “Water Practice”
- Working Groups on Genotoxicity and Carcinogenesis “Gentoxizität und Kanzerogenese” and on Respiratory Toxicology “Respirationstoxikologie” of the German Toxicology Society (GT)
- Member of the program committee for the annual German Pharm-Tox Summit (GPTS) of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) for contributions from the German Society for Toxicology (GT)
- OECD pool of experts of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment
- Member of an international working group preparing an OECD guideline for the in-vitro comet assay
- Reviewer for international journals in genetic toxicology, nanomaterials, and quartz
The Fraunhofer database “Publica” documents publications and patents from all Fraunhofer Institutes. You can search for specific publications using keywords or author names.
Please find our University teaching activities on our website.
Contact Persons at Fraunhofer ITEM
Here you will find the contact persons at Fraunhofer ITEM according to the organizational structure of the institute.
Photo acknowledgements: Fraunhofer ITEM, Ralf Mohr Photographie, Felix Schmitt, Andreas Krukemeyer, Patrick Reinig, Nico Herzog, Axel Kock – stock.adobe.com/Fraunhofer IMS, 2025 The Author(s), European Journal of Immunology, published by Wiley-VCH GmbH. DOI: 10.1002/eji.70013, stock.adobe.com, Adobe Stock (Who is Danny), AI generated images.
Information on the attribution of image copyrights can be found on the respective linked pages at www.item.fraunhofer.de/en
Coordination and editorial work: Dr. Cathrin Nastevska
