Med. Clinic II: Institute for Rheumatology -
Prof. Dr. Harald Burkhardt

Expertise

Diagnosis and therapy of rheumatic diseases
Epidemiology and patient care
Clinical trials phase IIa-III
Obtaining patients material of peripheral blood, synovial fluid and of joint tissues (cell-cultures, DNA, RNA, preparation of cell-suspension out of synovial tissues)
Target identification in patient material
Examination of biological effects of drugs using synovial cultures and other patient materials

Resources and Abilities

Patient recruitment for obtaining research-relevant materials
Recruitment of patients for clinical trials by using existing networks
Specialized ambulatory care unit for clinical trials (study nurse, investigator,subinvestigators)
Research laboratory for cell-cultures
Extraction of DNA/RNA
Transfection of primary cells
Cellisolation out of synoviall tissue by magnetic beads
ELISA Spot Assay to measure cytokine secreting cell frequency in synovial tissue
RT-PCR and analysis of polymorphisms
Flow cytometric analysis

Staff

PD. Dr. Burkhard Möller (spezielle Expertise)
Dr. Frank Behrens
Matthias Thun
Andrea Himsel

Publications

Kaltwasser JP, Nash P, Gladman D, Rosen CR, Behrens F, Jones P, Wollenhaupt J, Falk FG, Mease P. Efficacy and safety of leflunomide in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. Arthritis Rheum 2004; in press.
Kaltwasser JP.Assessment of the studies. Important recombinant agents in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Pharm Unserer Zeit 2003; 32:396-403.
Moller B, Paulukat J, Nold M, Behrens M, Kukoc-Zivojnov N, Kaltwasser JP, Pfeilschifter J, Muhl H. Interferon-gamma induces expression of interleukin-18 binding protein in fibroblast-like synoviocytes. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2003; 42:442-445.
Kaltwasser JP, Kessler U, Gottschalk R, Stucki G, Moller B.Effect of recombinant human erythropoietin and intravenous iron on anemia and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol 2001; 28:2430-2436.
Moller B, Kukoc-Zivojnov N, Kessler U, Rehart S, Kaltwasser JP, Hoelzer D, Kalina U, Ottmann OG.Related Articles, Links Expression of interleukin-18 and its monokine-directed function in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2001; 40:302-309.
Kaltwasser JP, Kessler U, Gottschalk R, Stucki G, Moller B.Related Articles, Links Effect of recombinant human erythropoietin and intravenous iron on anemia and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol 2001; 28:2430-2436.
Moller B, Kukoc-Zivojnov N, Kessler U, Rehart S, Kaltwasser JP, Hoelzer D, Kalina U, Ottmann OG.Expression of interleukin-18 and its monokine-directed function in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2001; 40:302-309.
Kaltwasser JP, Wollenhaupt J, Dick W, Raven U, Herholz H.Continuing education as an instrument of medical quality management. Z Rheumatol 1998; 57:437-441.