Reutter/Hilger/Mulzer Lab

Extracellular Vesicles in Pediatric Medicine

Our lab investigates how extracellular vesicles (EVs) contribute to neonatal development, immune regulation and pediatric diseases, with a focus on their diagnostic and therapeutic potential. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we explore their role in immune protection, organogenesis and disease mechanisms, aiming to advance diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in pediatric medicine.

We study EVs in breast milk to understand their role in neonatal immune defense, particularly in preventing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants. Neonatal stool EVs are analyzed to explore microbiome-driven immune maturation, complemented by zebrafish models to assess their immunomodulatory properties. Zebrafish embryos also serve as a model to investigate the role of EVs in early organ development and their potential in cellular communication. Additionally, we analyze urinary EVs in congenital kidney diseases (CAKUT) to identify biomarkers and gain insights into disease mechanisms.

Principal Investigators:

Prof. Dr. med. Heiko Reutter

Head of the Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care

Dr. Alina Hilger

Medical Doctor

Dr. Linda-Marie Mulzer

Specialist in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine