Working Groups
Here you will find an overview of the working groups and their leaders.
The ADF Working Groups meet annually prior to the ADF Annual Meeting. These meetings provide an opportunity for focused, topic-specific scientific exchange and discussion among members with shared research interests.
Members are invited to submit abstracts, which will be presented and discussed within the respective Working Group. This format encourages scientific dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas within the specific fields of expertise.
Acne inversa
Description
Through this working group, we aim to promote exchange and networking among colleagues interested in the experimental and clinical research of acne inversa (hidradenitis suppurativa). In doing so, we are addressing the continuing, very high need for a better understanding of the disease mechanisms and for new treatment options for this long-neglected chronic inflammatory skin condition. At our annual meeting, we cordially invite clinicians, scientists, and industry representatives to present their ideas, research findings, and current developments, and to work together to generate new momentum for research and collaboration.
Activities
Programme
Invitation
PD Dr. rer. nat. Kerstin Wolk
Translationale Entzündungsforschung der Haut
Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie
Charité – Universitätsmedizin, Berlin
Charitéplatz 1
10117 Berlin
📧 kerstin.wolk@charite.de
📞+49 (0)30 45 05 18 009
Prof. Dr. med. Falk G. Bechara
Internationales Zentrum für Hidradenitis suppurativa / Acne inversa (ICH)
Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie
Ruhr-Universität Bochum
St. Josef-Hospital
Gudrunstraße 56
44791 Bochum
📧 falk.bechara@kklbo.de
📞+49 (0)234 509 6079
Atopic Dermatitis
Description
The Atopic Dermatitis Working Group brings together clinical and translational research into the disease mechanisms, molecular endotypes, biomarkers and new therapeutic strategies for atopic dermatitis. A key focus is on how biological heterogeneity and response to treatment can be better characterised and utilised for personalised treatment. In addition, the working group promotes scientific exchange and joint projects between dermatological research centres.
Activities
Programme
Invitation
Prof. Dr. med. Stephan Weidinger
Direktor der Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie
Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel
Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
Arnold-Heller-Straße 3
24105 Kiel
📞 +49 (0)431 500-21100
Stephan.Weidinger@uksh.de
Autoimmune Bullous Dermatoses
Description
The “Autoimmune Bullous Dermatoses” working group is a scientific forum for researchers and clinicians who conduct research on such diseases and/or have a particular interest in bullous skin diseases. The focus is on clinical and preclinical projects, as well as on the development of novel treatment and diagnostic methods.
Activities
Programme
Invitation
Dr. Christoph Hudemann
Dermatologische Forschung
Klinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie
Philipps-Universität Marburg
Baldingerstraße
35043 Marburg
📧 christoph.hudemann@staff.uni-marburg.de
📞+49 (0)6421 – 58 64823
Prof. Dr. med. Dr. rer. nat. Christoph Hammers
Klinik für Dermatologie, Allergologie und Venerologie
Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein
Ratzeburger Allee 160
23538 Lübeck
📧 matthiaschristoph.hammers@unibas.ch
📞+49 (0)
Cutaneous Lymphoma
Description
Activities
Programme
Invitation
Dr. med. Rose K.C. Moritz
Institut für Medizinische Immunologie & Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie
Campus Charité Mitte
Charitéplatz 1
10117 Berlin, Deutschland
📧 rose.moritz@charite.de
📞+49 (0)
Prof. Dr. Jan P. Nicolay
Medizinische Fakultät
Universität Heidelberg
Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3
68167 Mannheim
📧 jan.nicolay@umm.de
📞+49 (0)621 383-2282
Experimental Allergology
Description
Activities
Programme
Invitation
Prof. Dr. med. Karin Hartmann
Dermatologie
Universitätsspital Basel
Petersgraben 4
CH-4030 Basel, Schweiz
📧 karin.hartmann@usb.ch
📞+ 41(0) 61 328 60 97
PD Dr. med. Andreas Kerstan
Universitätsklinikum Würzburg
Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie
Josef-Schneider-Str. 2
97080 Würzburg
📧 kerstan_a@ukw.de
📞+49(0) 9312 01262 18
Experimental Dermatooncology
Description
The Dermato-Oncology Research Group focuses on interdisciplinary and translational research into skin tumours. Its work centres on the molecular and immunological mechanisms underlying tumour development and progression, the identification of new therapeutic targets, and the translation of experimental findings into innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Activities
Programme
Invitation
Prof. Dr. med. Evelyn Gaffal
Klinik für Dermatologie, Allergologie und Venerologie
Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein
Campus Lübeck
Ratzeburger Allee 160
23562 Lübeck
📧 Evelyn.Gaffal@uksh.de
📞+ 49 (0)451 500 41 501
Prof. Dr. med. Dr. rer. nat. Alpaslan Tasdogan
Department of Dermatology, Allergology and Venereology
Essen University Hospital
Hufelandstraße 55
45147 Essen
📧 Alpaslan.Tasdogan@uk-essen.de
📞+49 (0)201 723 85 356
Mast Cells and Basophils
Description
Activities
Programme
Invitation
Dr. rer. nat. Stefan Frischbutter
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Institut für Allergieforschung
Hindenburgdamm 27
12203 Berlin
Translational Dermatological Genetics
Description
Our group meets once a year as part of the annual ADF conference, bringing together approximately 20 to 40 participants. The meeting serves as a platform for presentations on the latest developments in both basic research and translational dermatogenetics. The scientific discussions focus on a broad spectrum of inherited skin disorders, their diagnosis, and innovative therapeutic approaches.
Collaboration within the working group extends far beyond the annual conference. Members maintain regular contact throughout the year, which facilitates ongoing scientific exchange, discussion of challenging cases, and the development of joint research initiatives.
Supporting the next generation of clinically active scientists and researchers is an important mission of our working group. We actively encourage early-career scientists to present their work, participate in discussions, establish collaborations, and become part of the dermatogenetics community.
Activities
Programme
Invitation
Dr. med. Kira Süßmuth
Klinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Helios Klinikum Berlin-Buch GmbH
Schwanebecker Chaussee 50
13125 Berlin
📧 Kira.Suessmuth@helios-gesundheit.de
📞+49(0) 30 9401-15707
Pruritus Research
Description
The Pruritus Research Working Group brings together knowledge, experience and research interests relating to pruritus. In doing so, the Working Group promotes clinical and pre-clinical experimental research, as well as epidemiological and healthcare research, with the specific aim of strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration.
Activities
Programme
Invitation
PD Dr. med. Manuel Pereira
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Institut für Allergieforschung
Hindenburgdamm 30
12203 Berlin
📞 +49(0) 30-450518214 manuel.pereira@charite.de
Dr. med. Svenja Royeck
Universitätsklinikum Münster
Klinik für Hautkrankheiten
Allgemeine Dermatologie und Venerologie
Von-Esmarch-Str. 58
48149 Münster
📞 +49 (0)251-8356501 svenja.royeck@ukmuenster.de
Dr. rer. nat. Hans Jürgen Solinski
Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
Mannheim Center for Translational Neuroscience
Experimentelle Schmerzforschung
Ludolf-Krehl-Strasse 13-17
68167 Mannheim
📞 +49 (0)621-38371653 juergen.solinski@medma.uni-heidelberg.de
Psoriasis
Description
Activities
Programme
Invitation
Prof. Dr. med. Robert Sabat
Psoriasis Forschungs- und BehandlungsCentrum
Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie und Institut für Medizinische Immunologie.
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Charitéplatz 1
10117 Berlin
📞 +49(0) 30 – 4505 18 625 robert.sabat@charite.de
Skin Barrier
Description
Activities
Programme
Invitation
Prof. Dr. Leopold Eckhart
Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie
Medizinische Universität Wien
Währinger Gürtel 18-20
A – 1090 Wien
Österreich
📞 +43(0)1 40400 73735 leopold.eckhart@meduniwien.ac.at