Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Skin Homeostasis
Publications Team News
Research Interest
Our research group investigates how epidermal injury compromises skin barrier integrity and triggers immune responses that drive inflammation. We study how keratinocyte stress and cell death lead to the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and promote crosstalk with immune cells, fibroblasts, and other stromal populations, shaping inflammation, tissue damage, and repair. Using patient-derived cells, advanced 3D skin models, and in vivo systems, we explore how cytoskeletal instability, immune signaling, and extracellular matrix remodeling contribute to keratinizing disorders and other inflammatory skin diseases. We work on developing innovative therapeutic strategies to restore skin homeostasis, including gene-editing approaches to correct keratin mutations and non-invasive delivery methods, such as lipid nanoparticles and microneedles, to target epidermal stem cells. Our long-term goal is to translate these insights into therapies that restore epidermal resilience, modulate immune activation, and promote durable tissue repair.
Publications
Selected Publications:
Team
Ass. Prof. Mag. Dr.in Daniela Ortner-Tobider
Arbeitsgruppenleiterin "Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Regulation of Skin Homeostasis"
I earned my MSc in Microbiology at the Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck in 2005 and my PhD in Immunology at the Medical University of Innsbruck in 2009, followed by a research position at the University of Minnesota. After returning to Innsbruck, I worked as a postdoctoral and senior research scientist at the Department of Dermatology and now head our laboratory in a tenure-track position. My expertise lies at the interface of skin biology, immunology, and tumor immunology. My work builds on collaborative projects investigating the roles of Langerhans cells and other skin-resident immune populations in tissue homeostasis, inflammation, and tumor immunity, and contributes to the development of strategies for targeted gene editing in keratin-related disorders. My research investigates how epidermal injury disrupts skin barrier integrity, activates immune responses, and drives inflammation, with a focus on developing novel gene- and immune-based therapies for genetic and inflammatory skin diseases.
Manuel Klumpp
PhD Student / "Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Regulation of Skin Homeostasis"
Manuel studied Microbiology at the Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck and started to work on his PhD project in the lab in May 2025. His project focuses on optimizing lipid nanoparticle-based and microneedle-assisted delivery of gene-editing tools to epidermal stem cells. By developing these strategies, we aim to advance therapies for epidermal differentiation disorders, a heterogeneous group of inherited keratinization diseases.
Susanne (Carina) Kuipers, BSc
Biomedizinische technische Analytikerin "Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Regulation of Skin Homeostasis"
Carina completed a bachelor´s degree in Applied Science (Life Sciences) in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, before joining our Department as a research technician in 2022. She is currently a master's student in Biomedical Life Sciences at the Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck and actively supports all ongoing projects in the lab.
Philipp Schwarze
Diploma student
Philipp is an MD student at the Medical University of Innsbruck and has been carrying out his ongoing diploma thesis in our lab since March 2025. His research investigates cytokine and chemokine expression in patient-derived keratinocytes with an autosomal dominant KRT9 mutation compared with healthy controls, aiming to identify differential gene expression and gain insights into disease pathophysiology.