Affiliate Professor, Division of HematologyUniversity of Washington Professor for Translational Development of Cellular Therapeutics, Institute for Transfusion Medicine and ImmunotherapyGoethe University Medical School Faculty Information Biography Dr. Bönig is pursuing two largely independent research programs, one applied and one basic. Clinical/applied: His Cell Therapy Group is developing GMP- and EP-compatible, fully regulator-approved processes for manufacturing and testing of cell-based therapeutics, including Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs). The GMP-facility, after formal process and assay validation and regulatory approval, generates clinical trial specimen and routine clinical cell therapy products predominantly for immunotherapy and regenerative medicine. Besides technology development, T-cell based therapeutics, both primary and engineered, have been a major focus. The Department maintains partnerships with academic and commercial entities invested in cellular therapy. He is also interested in cell donor safety and ethics.Basic research: The Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Group is investigating stem cell-niche interactions, specifically in the context of stem cell mobilization/stem cell maintenance and disruption of leukemia stem cell-niche interactions with a view to leukemia cell eradication. Aberrant CXCR4 signaling in the context of normal and malignant hematopoiesis remains a research focus. Recent advances include pre-clinical and clinical development of a novel, highly potent CXCR4 antagonist (POL6326) and the discovery of an endogenous CXCR4 antagonist (EPI-X4) which is cleaved, in an acidic milieu, off of albumin and according to preliminary data contributes to the integrity of the mucosal barrier. Education & Training: Degree of Magister Artium (M.A.) in English Literature, Old English, and Art HistoryHeinrich-Heine-University DusseldorfDusseldorf, Germany1989-1995 MDHenrich-Heine University Dusseldorf, St. Bartholomew's Hospital Medical School, and the University of TennesseeDusseldorf, Germany; London, England; and Memphis, TN1989-1996 Residency in PediatricsHenrich-Heine University Center of Child HealthDusseldorf, Germany1997-2002 Transfusion MedicineGerman Red Cross Blood Service BaWuHeFrankfurt, Germany Contact Email: h.boenig@blutspende.dePhone: +49-69-6782177Mailing Address: Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology Goethe University Medical School Sandhofstr. 1, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany Research & Clinical Interests Research Interests: Interactions of normal or malignant stem cells with the bone marrow niche, stem cell mobilization, stem cell expansion. Clinical Interests: Translational cell therapy, specifically cellular immunotherapy. Stem cell mobilization. Publications PubMed: PubMed Bibliography