Airway Associated Myeloid Cells in Homeostasis and Repair

Characterization of airway immune cells, using state-of-the art techniques including single-cell sequencing and multicolor FACS analysis, under steady-state conditions and after injury to identify novel targets for repair and regeneration. Aiming to develop novel, pharmaceutical interventions to foster tissue repair (Preprint).

Isolation, Maintenance and Differentiation of Primary Tracheal Basal Cells from Adult Rhesus Macaque

Rhesus macaque are a close human relative and their airways strongly resemble human airways. We here provide a robust, reproducible isolation and maintenance protocol for rhesus macaque basal cells and their differentiation into airway lineages (Publication).

 Macaque Lung Progenitor Cells as Therapeutic Agents after Lung Injury

We aim to transplant macaque induce pluripotent stem cell derived progenitors after lung injury as cell-based therapy. The projects lays the ground stones for cell-base engraftment therapy, as alternative for lung transplantation.

Postdoctoral Scholar
Boston University, Boston Medical Center, Center for Regenerative Medicine

• Formulated novel projects, focusing on airway tissue immunity and thereby discovered a novel, population of myeloid cells associated with the tracheal epithelium.

• Designed, executed and interpreted in vivo and in vitro data from mouse, macaque and human, including human blood and tissue processing in BSL2 settings.

• Led four projects (2 personal, 2 collaborative) in teams of four to six, encompassing health care professionals, life sciences experts and computational biologists.

• Maintained in-house Nikon Eclipse Li2 microscope and trained new users

• Trained and mentored 2 medical fellows, 2 PhDs, 3 undergrads and 2 junior colleagues

• Selected Peer Reviewer for MDPI Journals (Cells, JCM), reviewing ~2 papers/month.

• Awarded one competitive grant (>80’000 USD, top 20%), one outstanding presentation prize (top 5%), published two, peer-reviewed papers and one manuscript in preparation.

Research Assistant (Doctorate studies)
University Basel, Department Biomedizin

Notch Signaling Balances Neural Stem Cell Quiescence and Heterogeneity
Summary: In the adult, neural stem cells reside in specific brain regions. The main focus of my PhD studies is to address the contribution of Notch signaling in the regulation of neural stem cell maintenance and activation during physiological and pathological conditions.

Manager Cytometry Facility

• Managed high-tech service provider in a team of four
• Allocated external funding and led prizing discussion with main users
• Responsible for user training, equipment maintenance and chemical inventory

Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology
University of Basel, Molecular Biology

Internships
July 2008: Patent Clerk Internship; Oerlikon Balzers, R&D Semiconductor Wafers;
August 2010: Biozentrum University of Basel, Structural Biology, Actin Assembly; Introduction to working in BSL2; Purification and testing of polyclonal antibodies;

Engler AE, Ysasi AB, Pihl RMF, Villacorta-Martin C, Heston HM, Richardson HMK, Moniz NR, Belkina AC, Mazzilli SA, Rock JR; Airway-associated macrophages in homeostasis and repair; Pre-Print

Basil MC, Katzen J, Engler AE (…) Kotton DN, Rock JR, Snoeck HW Vunjak-Novakovic G, Whitsett JA, Morrisey EE; The Cellular and Physiological Basis for Lung Repairand Regeneration: Past, Present, and Future; Cell Stem Cell Review (2020); Review

Engler AE., Mostoslavsky G., Miller L., Rock JR., Isolation, Maintenance and Differentiation of Primary Tracheal Basal Cells from Adult Rhesus Macaque. MDPI Methods and Protocols, October 2019
Methods Protocol

Zhang R.*, Engler A.*, Taylor V., Notch: an interactive player in neurogenesis and disease, Cell Tissue Res (2017). Review

Swiss National Foundation, "Multifactorial Interplay of Trp63, Notch and BMP in Lung Basal Cell Maintenance"; SNF: P2BSP3_172221; 18-months salary 

Swiss Society Neuroscience, Travel Fellowship to the Gordon Research Seminar and Conference - Notch  Signaling in Development, Regeneration & Disease

Nachwuchsförderung Klinische Forschung (Promotion of Young Scientists); "Distinct Targets of Notch  Signaling in Active and Quiescent Neural Stem Cells"; 6-month salary + consumables

Scientific PhD Retreat - Outstanding Presentation Award; "Neurogenic stem cells in a dormant vestigial niche are suppressed by Notch2 signaling"

2019-09-23
3rd Annual NHLBI PCTC

2016-04-21
Podiums Conversation

Irkhof P., Engler A., Spalinger M., Richter H., Grüniger S.,  Warum wir mit Tieren forschen - Vier Forschende über ihre Erfahrungen mit Tierversuchen; "Why we Use Animal Experimentations - Four Researchers Talk about Their Experience with Animal Experimentation"; Selected Speaker

2016-02-03
diss:kurs University Basel

Engler A., Rolando C., Giachino C, Junghans D., Taylor V., Untangling Adult Neurogenesis, Notch by Notch; Selected course participant and selected podiums speaker

2015-10
The Notch Meeting Athens

Engler A., Rolando C., Giachino C, Junghans D., Taylor V., Differential roles of Notch1 or Notch2 signaling in the adult murine brain; Selected oral presentation

2015-05
PhD Retreat Department Biomedizin

Engler A., Rolando C., Taylor V., Identification of a remnant niche in the adult brain; Selected oral presentation, Presentation Award