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Lung Epidemiology

The research interest of our working group focus on the role of genetic, environmental and life-style factors including their interplay on lung health and function.

The research interest of our working group focus on the role of genetic, environmental and life-style factors including their interplay on lung health and function.

About our Research

Our team aims to assess determinants of lung function during the period of lung growth and aging with respect to the development of lung diseases. Our projects identify genetic, environmental and life-style factors and investigate their complex interplay on lung health and function, particularly in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.

Lung function varies substantially between individuals throughout the life course and those with poor lung function are known to be at higher risk for lung diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Therefore, our aim is to elucidate mechanisms determining poor lung function and the transition from health to early stages of lung diseases.

The research group uses data and biosamples from the ongoing population-based cohort studies GINIplus, LISA, KORA and NAKO as well as the German COPD cohort study COSYCONET.

We contribute to research within the German Center for Lung Research and to international consortia such as SpiroMeta to facilitate large-scale GWAS of lung function.

People at Lung Epidemiology

Dr. Marie Standl

Head of Research Group 'Allergic Disease Epidemiology', Head (ad interim) of Research Group 'Lung Epidemiology', Statistician View profile
Flexeder Claudia

Dr. Claudia Flexeder

Postdoc, Statistician
Porträt Stefan Karrasch

Dr. Stefan Karrasch

MD, Epidemiologist

Our Projects

Funded by DZL | 2021-2023

PBMC – Proteasome function as a Bio-Marker for COPD

The proteasome, a central enzymatic complex for degradation of intracellular proteins, is emerging as a new culprit in the pathogenesis and progression of COPD. 

We will profile expression and activity of the proteasome in peripheral blood cells of COPD patients of the COSYCONET cohort and model them in comparison to KORA-derived population data to validate proteasome function as a biomarker for COPD.

2021-2023

DZL 3.0

The German Center for Lung Research is an association of the leading university and non-university institutions dedicated to lung research in Germany. Using translational research methods, the DZL seeks to jointly develop new approaches for the prevention, diagnosis and therapy of serious lung diseases.

Our research is embedded into the Disease Areas COPD and Asthma and Allergies of the DZL.

Highlight Publications

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Contact Head (ad interim)

Dr. Marie Standl

Head of Research Group 'Allergic Disease Epidemiology', Head (ad interim) of Research Group 'Lung Epidemiology', Statistician

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