Manor house of the Research Center Borstel (FZB) in spring
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BIO
Caroline studied Biology at the University of Bayreuth and received her PhD from the University of Kassel in 2010. During her PhD in the lab of Prof. Markus Maniak she isolated lipid droplets from the model organism Dictyostelium discoideum and characterized the lipid droplet proteome.
In 2011 Caroline started her postdoc in the lab of Prof. Thierry Soldati at the University of Geneva, Switzerland. During the first years, she used the D. discoideum / M. marinum infection system to study lipid droplet dynamics during mycobacteria infection.
2016 she was promoted “maître assistante” and established several tools to monitor lipid flows from D. discoideum to intracellular mycobacteria. Besides lipid metabolism, Caroline also worked on zinc and ZnT transporters and their role in the bactericidal defense of D. discoideum and during mycobacteria infection.
In September 2019 Caroline started the junior research group Molecular Infection Biology at the University of Osnabrück, Germany. The main research interest of the group is to unravel the molecular mechanisms by which intracellular mycobacteria acquire host lipids. In 2023 Caroline Barisch joined the Research Center Borstel (FZB) and the Biology Department of the University of Hamburg. The Barisch lab is now located at Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB) @DESY, Hamburg.
Caroline studied Biology at the University of Bayreuth and received her PhD from the University of Kassel in 2010. During her PhD in the lab of Prof. Markus Maniak she isolated lipid droplets from the model organism Dictyostelium discoideum and characterized the lipid droplet proteome.
In 2011 Caroline started her postdoc in the lab of Prof. Thierry Soldati at the University of Geneva, Switzerland. During the first years, she used the D. discoideum / M. marinum infection system to study lipid droplet dynamics during mycobacteria infection.
2016 she was promoted “maître assistante” and established several tools to monitor lipid flows from D. discoideum to intracellular mycobacteria. Besides lipid metabolism, Caroline also worked on zinc and ZnT transporters and their role in the bactericidal defense of D. discoideum and during mycobacteria infection.
In September 2019 Caroline started the junior research group Molecular Infection Biology at the University of Osnabrück, Germany. The main research interest of the group is to unravel the molecular mechanisms by which intracellular mycobacteria acquire host lipids. In 2023 Caroline Barisch joined the Research Center Borstel (FZB) and the Biology Department of the University of Hamburg. The Barisch lab is now located at Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB) @DESY, Hamburg.
Lab Technician
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BIO
Béla is a Biological Technical Assistant who recently graduated from the School of Life Science in Hamburg. His scientific journey took him to Manchester, UK, where he worked in a nutritional laboratory investigating the carotenoid composition of various fruits and human plasma using advanced HPLC methods.
His thirst for knowledge brought him to DESY, where he carried out an internship on the development of specialised smNPC neurons from induced pluripotent stem cells. This work allowed him to explore the complexities of neural development in depth.
At the University of Hamburg, he joined the Behavioral Biology laboratory of Prof. Dr. Jutta Schneider for a second internship. Here, he gained extensive experience working with live subjects, such as Latrodectus spiders and praying mantises thus enhancing his understanding of behavioral science. Since joining Caroline Barisch's lab at CSSB in November 2023, he has been an integral part of pioneering projects in infection biology, contributing his expertise and skills to the forefront of scientific discovery.
Béla is a Biological Technical Assistant who recently graduated from the School of Life Science in Hamburg. His scientific journey took him to Manchester, UK, where he worked in a nutritional laboratory investigating the carotenoid composition of various fruits and human plasma using advanced HPLC methods.
His thirst for knowledge brought him to DESY, where he carried out an internship on the development of specialised smNPC neurons from induced pluripotent stem cells. This work allowed him to explore the complexities of neural development in depth.
At the University of Hamburg, he joined the Behavioral Biology laboratory of Prof. Dr. Jutta Schneider for a second internship. Here, he gained extensive experience working with live subjects, such as Latrodectus spiders and praying mantises thus enhancing his understanding of behavioral science. Since joining Caroline Barisch's lab at CSSB in November 2023, he has been an integral part of pioneering projects in infection biology, contributing his expertise and skills to the forefront of scientific discovery.
Postdoc
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BIO
Aby studied Biotechnology at the Karunya University in India and then came to Germany for higher education. He graduated with a MSc degree in Biosciences at the Julius Maximilians University of Würzburg. For hist master project, he succeeded in achieving the study completion grant from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and performed his master thesis in Molecular Infection Biology with the group of Roy Gross at the Biocenter, Würzburg. The objective of his master thesis was to investigate the role of dermonecrotic toxin of Bordetella pertussis, the pathogen which causes pertussis, in the interaction with human bronchial epithelial cells. Therefore, he infected monolayers of airway cells and engineered 3D tissue models. He became very interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying host-pathogen interactions. To acquire deeper knowledge in the field of infection biology, he joined the Barisch lab in June 2020 as a PhD student to work on mycobacterial infection using Dictyostelium discoideum as a model host. In September 2023 Aby successfully defended his PhD and moved to the CSSB in October 2023.
Aby studied Biotechnology at the Karunya University in India and then came to Germany for higher education. He graduated with a MSc degree in Biosciences at the Julius Maximilians University of Würzburg. For hist master project, he succeeded in achieving the study completion grant from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and performed his master thesis in Molecular Infection Biology with the group of Roy Gross at the Biocenter, Würzburg. The objective of his master thesis was to investigate the role of dermonecrotic toxin of Bordetella pertussis, the pathogen which causes pertussis, in the interaction with human bronchial epithelial cells. Therefore, he infected monolayers of airway cells and engineered 3D tissue models. He became very interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying host-pathogen interactions. To acquire deeper knowledge in the field of infection biology, he joined the Barisch lab in June 2020 as a PhD student to work on mycobacterial infection using Dictyostelium discoideum as a model host. In September 2023 Aby successfully defended his PhD and moved to the CSSB in October 2023.
PhD Students
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BIO
Lena studied Biosciences for her bachelor's degree and continued with a master's in Biotechnology at the University of Münster. During this time, she joined the group of Prof. Dr. Berg, where she focused on the biochemical characterization of enzymes from the itaconate degradation cluster of pseudomonates, using analytical techniques such as UHPLC. For the work on this topic she gained the JGBM Master Award 2024. Additionally, she gained experience in infection biology by studying effector proteins of the type III secretion system in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis during neutrophil infection, applying methods such as flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. She also studied immune cell development during embryogenesis using antibody-based histology and fluorescence microscopy. As a PhD student of the CSSB-Tagin: Teams Against Infections she joined us in April 2025, in collaboration with Thomas Gutsmann (Research Center Borstel) and Chris Meier (University of Hamburg). Her current project focuses on the optimization of antimicrobial peptides to improve the targeted eradication of mycobacteria.
Lena studied Biosciences for her bachelor's degree and continued with a master's in Biotechnology at the University of Münster. During this time, she joined the group of Prof. Dr. Berg, where she focused on the biochemical characterization of enzymes from the itaconate degradation cluster of pseudomonates, using analytical techniques such as UHPLC. For the work on this topic she gained the JGBM Master Award 2024. Additionally, she gained experience in infection biology by studying effector proteins of the type III secretion system in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis during neutrophil infection, applying methods such as flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. She also studied immune cell development during embryogenesis using antibody-based histology and fluorescence microscopy. As a PhD student of the CSSB-Tagin: Teams Against Infections she joined us in April 2025, in collaboration with Thomas Gutsmann (Research Center Borstel) and Chris Meier (University of Hamburg). Her current project focuses on the optimization of antimicrobial peptides to improve the targeted eradication of mycobacteria.
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BIO
Miriam studied Molecular Life Science at the University of Hamburg. During her bachelor studies, she investigated the gene expression of Leishmania donovani parasites, which sparked her passion for infectious diseases and the interaction between host and pathogen. In 2021, she began the Master's programme in Infection Biology at the University of Lübeck. Two internships brought her into contact with the human and murine complement system and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In her Master's thesis, she used primary human cells (monocyte derived macrophages and neutrophils) infected with Mtb to investigate the oxidative changes in proteins that are part of protective redox systems. In May 2024, she joined the Barisch lab as a PhD student to deepen her knowledge of Mtb and learn how they exploit the host's lipid metabolism to their own advantage.
Miriam studied Molecular Life Science at the University of Hamburg. During her bachelor studies, she investigated the gene expression of Leishmania donovani parasites, which sparked her passion for infectious diseases and the interaction between host and pathogen. In 2021, she began the Master's programme in Infection Biology at the University of Lübeck. Two internships brought her into contact with the human and murine complement system and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In her Master's thesis, she used primary human cells (monocyte derived macrophages and neutrophils) infected with Mtb to investigate the oxidative changes in proteins that are part of protective redox systems. In May 2024, she joined the Barisch lab as a PhD student to deepen her knowledge of Mtb and learn how they exploit the host's lipid metabolism to their own advantage.
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BIO
Studying at the University of Freiburg, Paulo gained expertise across diverse research domains. As an undergraduate, his research within the Reiff research group focused on animal physiology/neurobiology, investigating the neurological anatomy of Drosophila melanogaster and its motor behavior using genetic and optogenetic methods.
Utilizing pharmacological applications and immunohistological techniques, he later explored neural stem cell niches in Danio rerio embryos in neurodevelopmental biology within the Driever research group.
During his masters, he worked in the neuropathology at the University Clinic Freiburg with the Prinz research group. Here, Paulo enhanced his abilities in immunohistochemical methods, flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. While working on his MSc thesis, he contributed significantly, developing a novel method for culturing tissue-specific macrophages (Aktories et al. 2022). Conducting and analyzing diverse immunoassays like Seahorse and Legendplex, Paulos research focused on “immune metabolic profiling and functional characterisation of tissue-resident macrophage-like cultures”. Alongside his work in academic research, he also enjoyed tutoring BSc students for several years in animal physiology. In 2023, Paulo embarked on a new academic journey, relocating to Hamburg to pursue his PhD in the Barisch Lab. His current research delves into the complexities of mycobacterial infection, utilizing the sophisticated biological mechanisms of human macrophages to gain deeper insights in this important field of research.
Studying at the University of Freiburg, Paulo gained expertise across diverse research domains. As an undergraduate, his research within the Reiff research group focused on animal physiology/neurobiology, investigating the neurological anatomy of Drosophila melanogaster and its motor behavior using genetic and optogenetic methods.
Utilizing pharmacological applications and immunohistological techniques, he later explored neural stem cell niches in Danio rerio embryos in neurodevelopmental biology within the Driever research group.
During his masters, he worked in the neuropathology at the University Clinic Freiburg with the Prinz research group. Here, Paulo enhanced his abilities in immunohistochemical methods, flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. While working on his MSc thesis, he contributed significantly, developing a novel method for culturing tissue-specific macrophages (Aktories et al. 2022). Conducting and analyzing diverse immunoassays like Seahorse and Legendplex, Paulos research focused on “immune metabolic profiling and functional characterisation of tissue-resident macrophage-like cultures”. Alongside his work in academic research, he also enjoyed tutoring BSc students for several years in animal physiology. In 2023, Paulo embarked on a new academic journey, relocating to Hamburg to pursue his PhD in the Barisch Lab. His current research delves into the complexities of mycobacterial infection, utilizing the sophisticated biological mechanisms of human macrophages to gain deeper insights in this important field of research.
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BIO
Anna-Carina completed her BSc degree in Microbiology in the department of Prof. Hensel at the University of Osnabrück where she studied the SiiAB and MotAB protein complexes that play a role for Salmonella adhesion and invasion of polarized epithelial cells.
After the successful completion of her BSc, she chose to continue her academic career in a master's program with a focus on Cell and Molecular Biology. For her MSc thesis she joined the group of Prof. Dr. Caroline Barisch in September 2021. As a PhD student of the SFB1557 ("functional plasticity encoded by cellular membrane networks") she is currently working on the exiting topic of lipid transfer proteins and how they are exploited by mycobacteria during infection. In October 2023 Anna moved to the CSSB in Hamburg together with the other members of the Barisch lab.
Anna-Carina completed her BSc degree in Microbiology in the department of Prof. Hensel at the University of Osnabrück where she studied the SiiAB and MotAB protein complexes that play a role for Salmonella adhesion and invasion of polarized epithelial cells.
After the successful completion of her BSc, she chose to continue her academic career in a master's program with a focus on Cell and Molecular Biology. For her MSc thesis she joined the group of Prof. Dr. Caroline Barisch in September 2021. As a PhD student of the SFB1557 ("functional plasticity encoded by cellular membrane networks") she is currently working on the exiting topic of lipid transfer proteins and how they are exploited by mycobacteria during infection. In October 2023 Anna moved to the CSSB in Hamburg together with the other members of the Barisch lab.
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BIO
Sylvana pursued her MSc at the University of Munich and she performed two research internships in England and Munich to get specialized in Infection Biology. The project at the Bob Champions Research Institute of the University of East Anglia dealt with the influence of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli and their outer membrane vesicles on human macrophages. Furthermore, she investigated the infection processes of human adenovirus at the Department of Molecular Virology of Helmholtz Institute of Neuherberg. From this point on, she wanted to know more about host-pathogen interactions, which is why she started her PhD in April 2021 in the group of Caroline Barisch within the DFG priority program "Exit strategies of intracellular pathogens" (SPP2225). In October 2023 Sylvana moved to the CSSB in Hamburg together with the other members of the Barisch lab.
Sylvana pursued her MSc at the University of Munich and she performed two research internships in England and Munich to get specialized in Infection Biology. The project at the Bob Champions Research Institute of the University of East Anglia dealt with the influence of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli and their outer membrane vesicles on human macrophages. Furthermore, she investigated the infection processes of human adenovirus at the Department of Molecular Virology of Helmholtz Institute of Neuherberg. From this point on, she wanted to know more about host-pathogen interactions, which is why she started her PhD in April 2021 in the group of Caroline Barisch within the DFG priority program "Exit strategies of intracellular pathogens" (SPP2225). In October 2023 Sylvana moved to the CSSB in Hamburg together with the other members of the Barisch lab.
Sabbaticals
BIO
Coming soon! |
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MSc Students
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BIO
Caroline is a master student at Linköping University in Sweden, where she is pursuing a Master of Science in Chemical Biology and Engineering. Alongside her studies, Caroline spent several years working in a dairy quality control laboratory, gaining valuable experience with industrial bioprocesses and hands-on laboratory techniques. For her joint master thesis at FZB@CSSB, she is investigating the function of the enigmatic vault particle, exploring its potential quantum-related properties and its role in cellular defence mechanisms.
Caroline is a master student at Linköping University in Sweden, where she is pursuing a Master of Science in Chemical Biology and Engineering. Alongside her studies, Caroline spent several years working in a dairy quality control laboratory, gaining valuable experience with industrial bioprocesses and hands-on laboratory techniques. For her joint master thesis at FZB@CSSB, she is investigating the function of the enigmatic vault particle, exploring its potential quantum-related properties and its role in cellular defence mechanisms.
BSc Students
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BIO
Josephina is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Biology at the University of Hamburg, where she has been captivated by microbiology and infection biology since the start of her studies in 2022. In 2023, she began working in microbiology at a GMP laboratory alongside her academic studies, where she gained valuable hands-on laboratory experience and expertise in working with microorganisms. Josephina is now looking forward to completing her Bachelor's degree at the CSSB, where she aims to continue expanding her knowledge and skills in the field.
Josephina is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Biology at the University of Hamburg, where she has been captivated by microbiology and infection biology since the start of her studies in 2022. In 2023, she began working in microbiology at a GMP laboratory alongside her academic studies, where she gained valuable hands-on laboratory experience and expertise in working with microorganisms. Josephina is now looking forward to completing her Bachelor's degree at the CSSB, where she aims to continue expanding her knowledge and skills in the field.
