IMC Krems PhD student Esther Hellmann investigates how the receptor TLR10 regulates communication between immune cells and the brain – an example of outstanding research carried out at Universities of Applied Sciences. In the ecoplus Young Researchers’ Calendar 2026, presented yesterday, she was selected to represent the month of September.
Press
When the Brain Talks to the Immune System
How do the brain and the immune system communicate with each other? And what role is played by a scarcely researched receptor called TLR10? These are the questions explored by Esther Hellmann, a PhD student at IMC Krems, in her neuroimmunology research. Her project is part of a cooperative doctoral programme funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) in partnership with the University for Continuing Education Krems (UWK) – a strong example of the excellent scientific work conducted at Austria’s Universities of Applied Sciences.
“I study the function of Toll-like receptor 10, or TLR10, in immune cells of the brain known as microglia,” Hellmann explains. “These receptors are crucial for the innate immune system – yet we currently know very little about TLR10.” To gain new insights, she genetically modifies microglial cells to compare those with and without TLR10. Her research combines proteomics – the simultaneous analysis of all proteins in a cell – with classical cell-based laboratory experiments.
From curiosity to scientific passion
Hellmann came to neuroimmunology rather by chance – but stayed because of her fascination. “The longer I work in this field, the more intriguing I find the interplay between the immune system and the brain, particularly in neurodegenerative diseases.” Her curiosity is also reflected in her academic path: after completing a Bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Vienna, she deliberately chose the Master’s programme in Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at IMC Krems. “I wanted a course with strong laboratory training and practical relevance – IMC Krems was ideal for that.”
After graduating with her Master’s degree in September 2024, she began her doctoral studies within the FWF project Regenerative Medicine, supervised by Prof. (FH) Dr Christoph Wiesner. Alongside her laboratory work, she regularly attends courses at UWK, the university partner of the cooperation.
“I love learning and growing through challenges”
Hellmann knows from personal experience that research is not defined solely by moments of success: “During the first few months, absolutely nothing worked. It was frustrating – but eventually the knot untangled, and the experiments started to work. That was a key moment.”
Her motivation stems from curiosity and the desire to understand new things. “I love learning and growing through challenges. When you test a hypothesis and the data reveal something completely unexpected – that’s what drives me.”
Research with perspective – and political relevance
Hellmann’s PhD project is part of the collaborations that highlight the scientific capability of Austria’s Universities of Applied Sciences. “Esther Hellmann represents the many young researchers working at our institutions,” says Mag. Ulrike Prommer, CEO of IMC Krems and President of the University of Applied Sciences Conference (FHK). “They operate at the highest scientific level and make essential contributions to biomedical basic research. It is therefore only logical that Universities of Applied Sciences should in future be authorised to offer independent doctoral programmes.”
About Esther Hellmann
Esther Hellmann, born in 2001 in Braunau am Inn, completed her Bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Vienna from 2019 to 2022, before enrolling in the Master’s programme in Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at IMC Krems. Since 2024, she has been a PhD student in the field of Regenerative Medicine at IMC Krems in cooperation with the University for Continuing Education Krems. Her research focuses on the role of Toll-like receptor 10 (TLR10) in microglial cells within the field of neuroimmunology.
