Contact
Prof. Dr. Sonja Keßler
room 2.13
Wolfgang-Langenbeck-Str. 4
06120 Halle/Saale
ORCID: 0000-0002-8591-851
Sekretariat: Frau A. Ernst
phone: +49 345 55 25003
fax: +49 345 55 27021
angela.ernst@pharmazie.uni-...
room 2.14
Wolfgang-Langenbeck-Str. 4
06120 Halle/Saale
Pharmacology and Toxicology for Natural Sciences
Research Group Experimental Pharmacology for Natural Sciences
Kessler lab: April 2026. f.l.t.r. Nicole Glaubitz, Bettina Rahfeld, Susanne Franke, Sonja Keßler, Franziska Frielingsdorf, Beatrice Starke, William Ziem, Theresa Bauchspieß, Angela Ernst, Larissa Wolter, Johannes Kipp, Manuela Thiemicke, Elia Raab, Kathrin Dietze, Nikolaos Giannareas, Lisa Ahne, Frank Erdmann, Linus Wolf.
Missing: Jana Hirschfeld and Sandra Kendzia
Welcome to the website of the research group Experimental Pharmacology for Natural Sciences at the Institute of Pharmacy.
Further information on projects, staff, and teaching can be found by using the links of the menu.
News
New mechanism in cardiac remodeling and cardiomyopathy! The first paper from a great collaboration with our Israeli colleagues has been published. 10.1038/s42003-023-05547-x
Also take a look at the press reports:
"Discovery paves the way for innovative therapeutic strategies in managing cardiac conditions"
"RNA binding protein IGF2BP2 identified as key player in stress-induced dilated cardiomyopathy"
"When a big heart isn't a good thing"
Interested in epigenetics of steatosis? Read our recent article about epigenetic changes in fatty liver disease! https://rdcu.be/dgfMN
Our paper on the role of IGF2BP2 in colon cancer chemoresistance has been accepted for publication in Molecular Cancer! Check the full paper here:
Lab events
Pharmafasching
Pharmafasching 2026 - The Keßler Family
Pharmafasching 2025 - Pharmanauten
2024 Nice evening at the "Pharmafasching" - bananas....
Research group trips
Research group trip to the airport 2025
Research group trip to "Bundeswehrapotheke in Blankenburg" 2024
Escape room
The team of Angela, Jana, Manuela, Linus, Sandra and Susanne set a new time record of 38:33 minutes in the Escape Room! Super teamwork!!!
But also the other team around Bea, Frank, Kathrin, Linda, Lisa, Sonja could successfully free themselves from the clutches of the crazy Doctor Eisenbarth!
Recent publications
Herbst M, Kipp J, Kessler SM, Wischke C. Physicochemical and Biological Characterization of the TLR7 Agonist SZU-106. Pharm Res. 2026 Feb 26. doi: 10.1007/s11095-026-04031-5. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41741911.
Blümke J, Schameitat M, Verma A, Limbecker C, Arlt E, Kessler SM, Kielstein H, Krug S, Bazwinsky-Wutschke I, Haemmerle M. Innate Immunity and Platelets: Unveiling Their Role in Chronic Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel). 2025 May 17;17(10):1689. doi: 10.3390/cancers17101689. PMID: 40427186; PMCID: PMC12110028.
Chanda S, Lepikhov K, Dahlem C, Schymik HS, Hoppstädter J, Geber AK, Wagner K, Kessler SM, Empting M, Kiemer AK. Gene Editing and Small Molecule Inhibitors of the RNA Binding Protein IGF2BP2/IMP2 Show its Potential as an Anti-Cancer Drug Target. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2024 Jan 23;29(1):41. doi: 10.31083/j.fbl2901041. PMID: 38287808.