PD Dr. Uwe Müller

PD Dr. Uwe Müller

Research Fellow

Immunology
Biotechnologisch-Biomedizinisches Zentrum
Deutscher Platz 5, Room 1.310
04103 Leipzig

Phone: +49 341 97 - 31221
Fax: +49 341 97 - 31229

Abstract

Uwe Müller holds a doctorate and habilitation in biology and has been employed at the University of Leipzig since 2001, where he conducts research at the Institute of Immunology in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine on questions relating to the interaction of human/animal pathogenic fungi and bacteria with the host immune system. In third-party funded projects, Uwe Müller investigates, among other things, the role of the Th2 immune response in cryptococcosis and the significance of lung epithelial cells and fungus-induced immunomodulation in this disease. He is currently investigating the effect of an IgM protease from Streptococcus suis on B cell responses in pigs. 

He teaches and examines as a private lecturer in the subjects of immunology, zoology, laboratory animal science, and genetics.

His methodological spectrum includes molecular biological methods such as quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot, ELISA, and flow cytometry.

Professional career

  • since 04/2003
    Scientific position, Institute of Immunology (Veterinary faculty, University of Leipzig)
  • 04/2013
    Habilitation in Immunology (Veterinary faculty, University of Leipzig)
  • 12/2001 - 03/2003
    Assistance position, Institute of Immunology (Veterinary faculty, University of Leipzig)
  • 07/2001 - 11/2001
    Post Doc position, Institute of Immunology (Veterinary faculty, University of Leipzig)
  • 06/1998 - 05/2001
    Doctoral thesis in Biology, work group Parasitology (Ruhr University of Bochum) at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology, Freiburg

Education

  • 06/1997 - 05/1998
    Diploma thesis in Biology, work group Parasitology (Ruhr University of Bochum) at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology, Freiburg
  • 10/1992 - 05/1997
    Studies of Biology a the Ruhr University of Bochum

Uwe Müller already dealt with infectious immunology issues in his diploma thesis and doctoral dissertation. After working with the intracellular parasite Trypanosoma cruzi at the Max Planck Institute for Immunobiology, he moved to the Institute of Immunology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Leipzig in 2001, under the direction of Prof. Alber, and has since been studying the interaction of the zoonotic pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans with the host immune system. He is particularly interested in the role of the T helper cell 2 (Th2) response, which also plays an important role in allergies and asthma, on the immunopathogenicity of the fungus. Among other things, he clarified the significance of Th2 cytokines and their receptors for pathological changes in pulmonary cryptococcosis. He has also been involved in research into the role of eosinophils and innate lymphoid cells (ILC) in cryptococcosis. In his current research projects, he is investigating the role of alveolar epithelial cells in early cryptococcosis, immunomodulation by cryptococci, and, in another externally funded project, the role of a bacterial IgM protease on the B-cell response in pigs.


Methods:

  • PCR, RT-PCR
  • SDS-PAGE/Westerblot
  • ELISA
  • FACS analysis and sorting
  • In vitro/vivo models
  • Role of early IL-4 in pulmonary cryptococcosis
    Müller, Uwe
    Duration: 05/2011 – 08/2015
    Funded by: DFG Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
    Involved organisational units of Leipzig University: Molekulare Pathogenese; Biotechnologisch-Biomedizinisches Zentrum (BBZ)
    show details
  • In vitro system for characterizing the allergic potential of human and animal pathogenic fungi
    Müller, Uwe
    Duration: 09/2019 – 03/2021
    Funded by: BMBF Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
    Involved organisational units of Leipzig University: Immunologie; Biotechnologisch-Biomedizinisches Zentrum (BBZ)
    show details
  • Immunoglobulin M-degrading enzyme of Streptococcus suis (IdeSsuis): modulation of B-cell function and consequences for mucosal colonization
    Baums, Christoph Georg
    Duration: 09/2019 – 08/2022
    Funded by: DFG Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
    Involved organisational units of Leipzig University: Bakteriologie und Mykologie; Institut für Immunologie
    show details

more projects

  • Müller, U.; Stenzel, W.; Piehler, D.; Grahnert, A.; Protschka, M.; Köhler, G.; Frey, O.; Held, J.; Richter, T.; Eschke, M.; Kamradt, T.; Brombacher, F.; Alber, G.
    The role of macrophages in IL-4 receptor (IL-4R)-dependent pathology in pulmonary cryptococcosis
    MYCOSES. 2015. 58 (S3). pp. 65–66.
    show details
  • Müller, U.; Piehler, D.; Stenzel, W.; Köhler, G.; Frey, O.; Held, J.; Grahnert, A.; Richter, T.; Eschke, M.; Kamradt, T.; Brombacher, F.; Alber, G.
    Lack Of Il-4 Receptor Expression On T Helper Cells Reduces T Helper 2 Cell Polyfunctionality And Confers Resistance In Allergic Bronchopulmonary Mycosis
    Mucosal immunology. 2012. 5 (3). pp. 299–310.
    show details
  • Stenzel, W.; Müller, U.; Köhler, G.; Heppner, F. L.; Blessing, M.; McKenzie, A. N. J.; Brombacher, F.; Alber, G.
    Il-4/Il-13-Dependent Alternative Activation Of Macrophages But Not Microglial Cells Is Associated With Uncontrolled Cerebral Cryptococcosis
    The American journal of pathology. 2009. 174 (2). pp. 486–496.
    show details
  • Brakel, A.; Grochow, T.; Fritsche, S.; Knappe, D.; Krizsan, A.; Fietz, S.; Alber, G.; Hoffmann, R.; Müller, U.
    Evaluation of proline-rich antimicrobial peptides as potential lead structures for novel antimycotics against Cryptococcus neoformans
    Frontiers in Microbiology. 2024.
    show details
  • Breitfelder, A. K.; Schrödl, W.; Baums, C. G.; Alber, G.; Müller, U.
    The immunoglobulin M-degrading enzyme of Streptococcus suis (IdeSsuis) leads to long-lasting inhibition of the activation of porcine IgM-secreting B cells
    Veterinary Research. 2024. 55 (1).
    show details

more publications

  • Molekulare Pathogenese; Medizinische Fakultät und Universitätsklinikum AöR; Biotechnologisch-Biomedizinisches Zentrum (BBZ)
    Pulmologische Untersuchungen während der Kryptokokkose
    Start Date of Collaboration: 01/12/2016
    Involved persons: Müller, Uwe; Polte, Tobias
    show details
  • Molekulare Pathogenese; Institut für Parasitologie; Biotechnologisch-Biomedizinisches Zentrum (BBZ)
    Charakterisierung von Kryptosporidienstadien mittels Durchflusszytometrie
    Start Date of Collaboration: 01/01/2016
    Involved persons: Müller, Uwe; Daugschies, Arwid; Lendner, Matthias
    show details
  • Molekulare Pathogenese; Medizinische Fakultät und Universitätsklinikum AöR; Institut für Immunologie; Biotechnologisch-Biomedizinisches Zentrum (BBZ)
    Mikroskopische Untersuchungen von Alveolarepithel während der pulmonalen Kryptokokkose
    Start Date of Collaboration: 01/01/2015
    Involved persons: Alber, Gottfried; Gericke, Martin; Heyen, Laura; Piehler, Daniel; Müller, Uwe
    show details
  • Immunologie; Institut für Bakteriologie und Mykologie
    Wirkung der IgM-spaltenden Protease IdeSsuis auf die porcine B-Zellantwort
    Start Date of Collaboration: 31/05/2020
    Involved persons: Müller, Uwe; Baums, Christoph Georg; Schrödl, Wieland; Breitfelder, Annika Katharina; Jentsch, Maria-Christin
    show details
  • Immunologie; Bioanalytik
    Wirkung von prolinreichen antimikrobiellen Peptiden auf den humanpathogenen Pilz Cryptococcus neoformans
    Start Date of Collaboration: 31/12/2022
    Involved persons: Müller, Uwe; Brakel, Alexandra; Hoffmann, Ralf
    show details

more cooperations

Immunology, laboratory animal science, and genetics are the main topics of Uwe Müller's lectures. Since 2001 Uwe Müller participates in the lectures, required electives, and trainings in immunology and laboratory animal science. In 2014 he resumed the genetics lectures. Together with Dr. Schnabel and Dr. Eschke Uwe Müller is responsible for the teachings of the Institute of Immunology at the Veterinary faculty.

Recently he is involved in the following courses

Immunology

  • Focus Erkennen, Verstehen, Behandeln (5/6th sem.): humoral immunological diagnostics (2h)
  • Focus Blut (8th sem.): canine and feline blood types (1h)
  • Focus Geflügel (8th sem.): The avian immune system & vaccination strategies (2h)
  • Focus Zelle (2nd sem.): cell cycle, from gene to protein (3h)


Laboratory animal science (responsible for planning and content)

  • Laboratory animal science (5th sem.): laboratory mouse, pig (2-3h)
  • Opening up as a continuing education opportunity for people involved in animal testing


Animal breeding and genetics

  • Genetics (2nd/3rd sem.): (i) classical and molecular genetics, (ii) population genetics and evolution, (iii) pathogenetics (42h)


Exams

Immunology

  • written examination (mandatory for all students)


Laboratory animal science

  • written examination (optional)


Animal breeding and genetics

  • written examination (mandatory for all students), 3. try oral examination


  • Zoology (fundamentals, evolution and immunology, vertebrate systematics)

    How did horses and dogs become domestic animals? What are the genetic prerequisites for evolution? What forces influence life so that it develops and changes? How does the immune system protect us? What are the costs involved, and are they worth it? How can pathogens outsmart our defenses? How did vertebrates evolve, and what characterizes the different groups? These are some of the questions explored in the subtopics of evolution and immunology covered in the zoology lecture.

  • Animal breeding and Genetics

    In this lecture different aspects of genetic will be in focus, (i) classic and molecular genetics, (ii) population genetics and evolution, and (iii) pathogenetics. In total the lecture comprises 42 lessons in the 2nd and 3rd term.

  • Immunology (from cells to tumor defense)

    What are the functions of the cells of the immune system? How are pathogens fought off? What is important in the fight against tumors? What types of immune pathologies exist? How do vaccinations work and what needs to be considered? These and many other questions are explored in lectures and seminars.

  • Laboratory animals

    Experts in their field present different species of laboratory animals and applications in which they are used. Beside animal models also aspects of ethics and alternative methods will be demonstrated.

  • Use of digital tools

    Moodle, Zoom and other digital formats offer a lot of potential to intensify teaching and to provide students with opportunities to repeat teaching content (e.g. via digital online presentations and films), to evaluate learning success (e.g. via online exercises and tests) and also to intensify contact between the teacher and the learner. A variety of tools are used to improve teaching and take it to a new level.