Matthias Friedrich

What is your research background? 

For the last 10 years, my main interest was studying the pathogenesis of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) such as inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis. In particular, I investigated how cytokine networks promote pro-inflammatory functions of non-immune cells such as fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Trained as a biochemist, I mostly applied a panel of molecular and cellular biology techniques to carry out this research during my doctoral studies. Later during my Postdoc, I extended this toolkit to gain expertise in multi-omic profiling down to single-cell resolution, and in the bioinformatics analysis of these data.  

What are you researching now? 

Cartograpghy is profiling multiple IMIDs to identify cellular and molecular therapeutic targets. Within that initiative, I am focussing on rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. My responsibilities as an Oxford-Janssen fellow include  the collection and profiling of patient samples, designing pre-clinical assay, and analysing and interpreting the multi-omic data generated within the initiative.   

What are your aspirations for the future of this research ? 

Since my doctoral studies, my passion has always been conducting translational research that benefits the patient. The Oxford-Janssen fellowship represents a unique opportunity to work at the interface between academia and industry, which I think is crucial to efficiently deliver improved medicines. I am certainly committed to continue on this path in the future, aiming to dissect mechanisms of inflammation across diseases, tissues and cell types in order to provide a rationale for therapeutic drug design.