The paper, “Cells of all trades – on the importance of spatial positioning of senescent cells in development, healing and aging”, written under supervision by Mikolaj Ogrodnik, of co-shared-first authorship of Tomaz Rozmaric and co-authored with Johannes Grillari, gives a comprehensive overview of where and when senescent cells appear in the body. From embryonal development till old age, through kidney, pancreas and liver, it draws a map of senescence in space and time.  The authors propose two main functional roles for these cells: as “barriers”, physically separating tissues, and as “conductors”, orchestrating animal physiology through the secretion of signaling molecules. This perspective adds a new layer to our understanding of how senescence contributes to development, tissue repair, and aging – and how disrupted positioning might lead to disease.

Read the full article open access in the FEBS online library.

Alongside this publication, Helene successfully defended her PhD with the thesis “Investigating the Immediate and Long-Term Responses of Skin to Wounding with Focus on Spatial Distribution.” Her work, performed side-by-side with LBG SHoW Postdoc Nadja Ring, led to the discovery of the p-rpS6 zone, a new marker that identifies the parts of skin actively involved in healing that was published in Developmental Cell in 2023. This finding adds important spatial and temporal perspectives to wound research.

Helene is deeply appreciated by her colleagues for her scientific dedication and loved for her kind-heartedness. She’s one of those rare people who lights up any room with her warm smile and genuine care for others.

Following her defense, she was celebrated at LBI Trauma with a joyful party in the library, organized by Mikolaj Ogrodnik’s research group TiDRRA: “Tissue Damage Responses in Regeneration and Aging” and former SHoW members. She received hand-crafted PhD cylinder, a hand-drawn card by our science artist Eirini Klinaki and many well-deserved hugs.