Malik Aydin

Professor Malik Aydin leads the Translational Medicine research group at University Witten/Herdecke. 

The research group concentrates on infectious diseases, infection immunology, virology, microbiology, pulmonology, and pediatrics.

Our research group investigates the molecular mechanisms of viral and bacterial pathogens, with particular focus on respiratory viruses such as adenoviruses, RSV, rhinoviruses, and influenza viruses, as well as mycoplasma. A central research focus lies in infection immunology and the development of mucosal vaccines, especially based on adenoviruses. We study how infections alter immune cell responses, the epigenome and the regulome, and how these processes contribute to disease development. We also investigate how genetically modified viral vectors influence genome organisation and assess their therapeutic potential. The overall aim is to translate these insights into innovative therapeutic approaches for patients with infectious and lung diseases.

To address information and virus-immunology research questions, we use ex vivo-models, organoids, and animal models. In parallel, we investigate clinically relevant translational research and participate in several multicenter studies.

A further focus of our work is the analysis of the airway microbiome and virome and their interactions with the host across different disease entities. Here, we apply next generation sequencing and advanced bioinformatics methods.

Through close collaboration with the Chair of Virology and Microbiology, the Centre for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF) and the Centre for Research in Clinical Medicine (ZFKM at University Witten/Herdecke, we further expand our methodological expertise. To advance our work, the team engages in national and international collaborations, particularly with the University of Oxford (UK) and the University of Minnesota (USA)

By integrating these diverse research approaches, our group aims at the long-term goal of translating fundamental scientific discoveries into clinical applications (from bench to bedside) to contribute to the development of novel therapies.

Scientists:

Dr Sarah Maslowski

Dr Janina Soler Wenglein

Ph.D. students:

Nikita Chilakamarri, M. Sc.

M.D. candidates:

Hanna Abady

Carolin Bähren

Jan Bardelle

Eleni Büdding

Lina-Marie Mallach

Jannik Zaremba

Former colleagues and graduates:

Dr rer. nat. Frank Schult

Merve Torun, M.sc.

Dr Luca B. Helmbold

Dr Luca Scarsella

• Pediatrics

• Infectious Diseases

• Pulmonology

• Allergology

• Virology and microbiology

• Laboratory medicine

• Antibiotic stewardship

   

Professor Dr Aydin studied human medicine at the University of Cologne after which he began his specialisation in pediatrics at the University Hospital Bonn. He continued his training at Hanover Medical School and completed it at the University Hospital of Witten/Herdecke University.

In 2020/2021, he became head of the junior research group “Experimental Pediatric Pneumology and Allergology”. In 2025, he was appointed Professor of Translational Medicine. His clinical expertise includes infectious diseases, pulmonology, allergology, microbiology, and laboratory medicine. In addition, he is responsible for antimicrobial stewardship (ABS) visits at the Chair of Pediatrics at the Children's Hospital in Datteln. 

A particular focus of his clinical work lies in disseminated infections in immunocompromised and chronically ill patients, as well as in children and adolescents with chronic lung diseases, severe pneumonia, asthma and primary ciliary dyskinesia. He also has strong clinical and research interests in antibiotic allergies and insect venom allergies.

An overall goal of his work is the support of the next generation of medical and research scholars. He mentors students and young researchers, inspiring them to pursue the broad field of pediatrics, infectious diseases, infection immunology and respiratory medicine.

As a board member of the Young Research Group Leaders (Young-PI) of the Society of Virology (GfV), he organises annual conferences and workshops for early-career (medical) researchers. He is also active in the Working Group forresearch of the German Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases (DGPI), and board member of the Committee for Guidelines of the European Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID).

Professor Dr Malik Aydin teaches across a broad range of subjects, including paediatrics, infectiology, pneumology, microbiology, virology, and laboratory medicine. He is also responsible for teaching doctor-patient communication across all semesters.

Important aspects of teaching philosophy include interactive, practice-orientated methods such as problem-based learning (POL), the flipped classroom model, and the development of teaching materials based on key symptoms, clinical case studies, and differential diagnostic processes. The subject of pediatrics is closely integrated with theoretical disciplines such as microbiology and laboratory medicine.

Through close collaboration with the Chair of Didactics, Malik Aydin's teaching is adapted to the requirements of modern medical education, contributing meaningfully to the holistic education and personal development of students.

Memberships in Scientific Societies

• German Society for Pediatric Infectiology (DGPI)

• European Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID)

• Society for Virology (GfV)

• German Society for Infectiology (DGI)

• American Society for Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT)

• German Society for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ)

• Society for Pediatric Pneumology (GPP)

• European Respiratory Society (ERS)