Onkologische Forschungsgruppen des Institut und Poliklinik für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin IPASUM

Leitung

Prof. Dr. med.Simone Schmitz-Spanke

Überblick Forschungsinhalte

The research group investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying chemically induced carcinogenesis to develop innovative approaches for effect biomonitoring and cancer prevention in occupational settings. A primary focus is placed on exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their impact on various target organs, including the skin, bladder, and lungs.
 

1. Molecular Mechanisms of Skin Carcinogenesis & Sensitization: Investigation of synergistic effects between PAH exposure and physical factors (UV radiation).
2. Mixture Toxicity & Synergism: Assessing the risk of complex chemical mixtures found in consumer goods (e.g., children’s toys) and occupational settings. 
3. Effect Biomonitoring & Metabolomics: Utilizing untargeted GC-MS analysis to identify systemic metabolic "fingerprints" of exposure. 
4. Genotoxicity: Characterization of DNA damage and chromosomal instabilities in response to carcinogenic agents in various human cell models.

Team

• Christian Kersch
• Max-Philipp Böhler
• Carmen Adrian
• Marlene Alex
• Zina Thomas
• Maria-Louise Hartung

Laufende Forschungsprojekte

• Metabolic Profiling in Occupational PAH Exposure: Development of urinary metabolite signatures to assess internal dose and early biological effects in firefighters.
• Synergistic Effects of PAH Mixtures in Consumer Products: Investigation of the skin sensitization potential and Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway activation by PAHs in children’s toys, focusing on mixture toxicity and synergistic risks.
• Combination Effects in Environmental Oncology: Investigating metabolic and immunometabolic dysregulation caused by the co-exposure of PAHs and UV light.
• Toxicological Assessment of Complex Aerosols: Analysis and metabolomic signaling following exposure to secondary organic aerosols.

Methoden

1. GC-MS-based metabolomics (untargeted & targeted)
2. In vitro toxicology (human keratinocytes, urothelial cells, co-culture models), ex-vivo toxicology (human skin)
3. Genotoxicity assays (Comet assay, micronucleus test, γH2AX), toxicological endpoint assays (ROS, LDH, lipidperoxidation, glutathion, enzym activities, ...)
4. Biostatistics and pathway enrichment analysis

Kooperationspartner

• Helmholtz Zentrum München / Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre (Prof. R. Zimmermann)
• Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz
• Chair of Aroma and Smell Research, FAU (Prof. A. Büttner) 
• Prof. Dr. Nicolas Rohleder - Chair of Health Psychology 

• AG Günther (Mucosal Infection Biology), Med 1

   

Publikationen/Literatur

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Schmitz-Spanke+S

Kontakt

Prof. Dr. med.Simone Schmitz-Spanke
09131 85 22255
simone.schmitz-spanke(at)fau.de

Weiterführende Links

https://www.ipasum.med.fau.de/forschung/biomarker/

Stand: 04/2026