Biography

As part of her Bachelor’s thesis, Jennifer Doberaß investigated various gene variants of the formyl peptide receptor 1. A nucleotide substitution (SNP) can have massive effects on protein expression and structure, which can promote various diseases and tumor development. This shows the importance of highly regulated and error-free machinery in the body. In her current Master’s project, she is investigating the identification and characterization of new immune defense mechanisms for the perception of bacterial signal peptides. It deals with immune receptors that are closely related to the formyl peptide receptors. Jennifer Doberaß is investigating the pharmacological and physiological effects of various bacterial signal peptides on these receptor groups. Taking into account the evolutionary context, key activators and species-specific similarities as well as differences in the detection and action of these immune receptors will be uncovered. The aim is to better understand the physiological significance of these alternative detection mechanisms for the immune defense of bacteria.