Podcast “Wirkstoffradio”: Interview with LIT Scientist Dr. Dr. Roland Schelker

In the latest episode of the podcast “Wirkstoffradio”, Bernd Rupp sits down with Dr. Dr. Roland Schelker, Head of Translation Group “T-Cell Fitness” at the Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, to dive deep into the fascinating world of immune cells - especially T cells.

Listen here!

Date Published

October 24, 2025

Roland Schelker takes us through the different types of immune cells and their crucial roles in defending the body against disease. He places a special focus on T-cell development, explaining the genetic mechanisms that guide their differentiation from T memory stem cells to T effector cells.

Listeners will learn how the changing characteristics of these T cells impact their “fitness” – including their ability to survive and function effectively. While highly active T effector cells only live for hours or days, long-lived T memory stem cells can persist for years. This remarkable longevity makes them especially promising for cutting-edge T-cell immunotherapies.

Dr. Dr. Schelker and his team are also researching how to selectively isolate these potent cells to promote the formation of long-lived CAR- and TCR-T cell therapies for improved treatment outcomes.
Don’t miss this insightful conversation packed with the latest scientific insights and potential breakthroughs in immunotherapy.