Biologist Julia von Maltzahn has been appointed professor of stem cell biology of aging at the Brandenburg Faculty of Health Sciences (FGW). One focus of her work is to study the changes in muscle stem cells during aging to investigate why skeletal muscles regenerate more poorly with increasing age.
Commenting on her move from Jena to BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, Prof. Julia von Maltzahn says, "I am looking forward to the new challenge. The research of my group will continue to focus on the study of muscle stem cells during aging and in aging-associated diseases. The goal of our research is to improve skeletal muscle regeneration in aging and in various diseases."
Age-related cellular changes in the human body are being researched by scientists* worldwide. Some mechanisms of aging cells have already been identified. However, reactions and changes in aging cells raise many questions. Investigating these with new methods of stem cell research and epigenetics is the subject of research at the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg. The focus of the scientific investigations of Prof. Julia von Maltzahn and her team is on the regeneration of skeletal muscle in old age and in various diseases.
Vice Dean of the FGW Prof. Dr. Ralf Stohwasser is looking forward to the cooperation in this exciting field of research: "With Prof. Julia von Maltzahn we were able to successfully fill the first of a total of five professorships within the joint Faculty of Health Sciences at the BTU. Julia von Maltzahn previously headed a research group at the Leibniz Institute on Aging (FLI) in Jena. With her experience in stem cell research, she complements the cell biology expertise already available at the Senftenberg site, in particular with aspects of aging-associated biological changes in humans. We look forward to intended synergy effects in the research of mechanisms, diagnosis and therapy of aging-associated degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system by biotechnologically and health science oriented teams of the BTU faculties and the joint Faculty of Health Sciences (FGW) of the State of Brandenburg. As Vice Dean for Teaching and Studies, I welcome our strengthened potential not only in research, but also for new study programs addressing our future students at the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg."
The goals of the Faculty of Health Sciences include securing skilled workers in the medical field in the Flächenland Brandenburg and research into medicine and health of aging. Together with the University of Potsdam (UP) and the Brandenburg Theodor Fontane Medical School (MHB), BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is one of the three sponsoring universities of the joint faculty, which is supported by the state of Brandenburg.
