DOG poster award for Dr. Martina Maaß

Dr. Martina Maaß, scientist in the Ocular Surface Group, headed by Prof. Dr. med. Philipp Steven, has been awarded a poster prize for her poster on “Desiccation stress is a risk factor for the development of ocular graft-versus-host disease”. Using a mouse model, various analyses showed that desiccation stress is a risk factor for ocular graft-versus-host disease. Desiccation stress prevails in the form of reduced humidity and strong airflow due to the necessary air circulation on transplantation wards – especially in the winter months – and increases the number of patients with ocular graft-versus-host disease. The disease occurs in up to 60 percent of patients after stem cell transplantation in leukemia patients, for example, and in the worst case can lead to loss of vision. The knowledge gained enables a better understanding of the disease and an approach for preventive measures.