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Assoc.-Prof. Verena Wally, PhD

Group Leader WG Wally

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Research statement

My scientific interest is focused on the investigation of miRNAs and epigenetic changes in EB, in particular on EB-associated tumor development. In addition, together with my group we aim to identify small molecules, that can positively impact the course of EB. One example for this is diacerein, which can significantly reduce blister formation in EBS. Finally we want to use short DNA or RNA molecules to correct aberrant processing of mutated RNA in junctional EB.

Personal interests

I like spending my spare time with my family and outside in nature. My particular passion is dancing.

Curriculum Vitae Verena Wally

Professional Career

2016 - present
Consultant of Castle Creek Pharmaceuticals

2015 - present
Co-founder and scientific consultant of Diaderm GmbH

2013 - present
Group leader at the EB House Austria

2007-2012
Postdoc at the EB House Austria

 

Education

2007
PhD, Paris Lodron University Salzburg. "SMaRT for plectin deficient epidermolysis bullosa patients" Research group: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Johann W. Bauer

2002
MSc in Genetics and Biotechnology, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg
"Isolation and characterization of a serine protease of Alternaria alternate"
Research group: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Michael Breitenbach

 

Prizes and scholarships

2015 Isidor-Neumann poster prize of the Austrian Society of Dermatology and Venerology (ÖGDV)
2013 Invitation to the Academy for "Future Leaders of Dermatology" of the European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR)
2013 Isidor-Neumann poster prize of the Austrian Society of Dermatology and Venerology (ÖGDV)
2012 Travel grant for the annual meeting of the European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR)
2010 Unilever publication prize 2010 Paracelsus Medical University Science Award - Silver
2009 Paracelsus Medical University Science Award - Bronze
2009 Isidor-Neumann poster prize of the Austrian Society of Dermatology and Venerology (ÖGDV)
2008 VWR International Prize
1999 - 2000 ERASMUS students exchange program, Rome, Italien

 

Additional qualifications/training

ICH-GCP gap-training for E6 revision
GCP training at the "Clinical Research Center Salzburg" (CRCS)
GMP-Basic course
Basic training of the University Hospital Salzburg for project management and working techniques, legal basics and management, project management and personnel development
Training in didactics in medicine at the Paracelsus Medical University
Certified training for clinical trials

Original Articles

  1. Liemberger B, Bischof J, Ablinger M, Hainzl S, Murauer EM, Lackner N, Ebner P, Kocher T, Nyström A, Wally V, Mayr E, Guttmann-Gruber C, Piñón Hofbauer J, Bauer JW,  Koller U. (2023). COL7A1 Editing via RNA Trans-Splicing in RDEB-Derived Skin Equivalents. Int J Mol Sci 24(5):4341.
  2. Zwicklhuber J, Kocher T, Liemberger B, Hainzl S, Bischof J, Strunk D, Raninger AM, Gratz I, Wally V, Guttmann-Gruber C, Piñón Hofbauer J, Bauer  JW, Koller  U (2023). A Novel Fluorescence-Based Screen of Gene Editing Molecules for Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa. Int J Mol Sci 24(6):5197.
  3. Petković I, Bischof J, Kocher T, March OP, Liemberger B, Hainzl S, Strunk D, Raninger AM, Binder AM, Reichelt J, Guttman-Gruber C, Wally V, Piñón Hofbauer J, Bauer JW, Koller U. COL17A1 editing via homology-directed repair in junctional epidermolysis bullosa. Front Med 2022, 9:976604.
  4. Bischof J, March OP, Liemberger B, Haas SA, Hainzl S, Petković I, Leb-Reichl V, Illmer J, Korotchenko E, Klausegger A, Hoog A, Binder H-M, Garcia M, Duarte B, Strunk D, Larcher F, Reichelt J, Guttmann-Gruber C, Wally V, Hofbauer JP, Bauer JW, Cathomen T, Kocher T, Koller U. Paired nicking-mediated COL17A1 reframing for junctional epidermolysis bullosa. Molecular Therapy 2022.
  5. Mayr E, Ablinger M, Lettner T, Murauer EM, Guttmann-Gruber C, Piñón Hofbauer J, Hainzl S, Kaiser M, Klausegger A, Bauer JW, Koller U, Wally V. 5’ RNA Trans-Splicing Repair of COL7A1 Mutant Transcripts in Epidermolysis bullosa. Int J Mol Sci 2022, 23(3):1732.
  6. Zauner R, Wimmer M, Dorfer S, Ablinger M, Koller U, Piñón Hofbauer J, Guttmann-Gruber C, Bauer JW, Wally V. Transcriptome-Guided Drug Repurposing for Aggressive SCCs. International journal of molecular sciences 2022;23:1007
  7. Woess K, Sun Y, Morio H, Stierschneider A, Kaufmann A, Hainzl S, Trattner L, Kocher T, Tockner B, Leb-Reichl V, Steiner M, Brachtl G, South AP, Bauer JW, Reichelt J, Furihata T, Wally V, Koller U, Piñón Hofbauer J, Guttmann-Gruber C. Evaluating a Targeted Cancer Therapy Approach Mediated by RNA trans-Splicing In Vitro and in a Xenograft Model for Epidermolysis Bullosa-Associated Skin Cancer. International journal of molecular sciences 2022;23.
  8. Bornert O, Hogervorst M, Nauroy P, Bischof J, Swildens J, Athanasiou I, Tufa SF, Keene DR, Kiritsi D, Hainzl S, Murauer EM, Marinkovich MP, Platenburg G, Hausser I, Wally V, Ritsema T, Koller U, Haisma EM, Nyström A. QR-313, an Antisense Oligonucleotide, Shows Therapeutic Efficacy for Treatment of Dominant and Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa: A Preclinical Study. J Invest Dermatol
  9. Ablinger M, Lettner T, Friedl N, Potocki H, Palmetzhofer T, Koller U, Illmer J, Liemberger B, Hainzl S, Klausegger A, Reisenberger M, Lambert J, Van Gele M, Desmet E, Van Maelsaeke E, Wimmer M, Zauner R, Bauer JW, Wally V. Personalized Development of Antisense Oligonucleotides for Exon Skipping Restores Type XVII Collagen Expression in Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa. 2021;22:3326.
  10. Wimmer M, Zauner R, Ablinger M, Piñón-Hofbauer J, Guttmann-Gruber C, Reisenberger M, Lettner T, Niklas N, Proell J, Sajinovic M, De Souza P, Hainzl S, Kocher T, Murauer EM, Bauer JW, Strunk D, Reichelt J, Mellick AS, Wally V. A cancer stem cell-like phenotype is associated with miR-10b expression in aggressive squamous cell carcinomas. Cell Commun Signal 2020;18:61
  11. Wally V, Hovnanian A, Ly J, Buckova H, Brunner V, Lettner T, Ablinger M, Felder TK, Hofbauer P, Wolkersdorfer M, Lagler FB, Hitzl W, Laimer M, Kitzmüller S, Diem A, Bauer JW. Diacerein Orphan Drug Development for Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex: A Phase 2/3 Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial. J Am Acad Dermatol 2018.
  12. Liemberger B, Piñón Hofbauer J, Wally V, Arzt C, Hainzl S, Kocher T, Murauer EM, Bauer JW, Reichelt J, Koller U. RNA Trans-Splicing Modulation via Antisense Molecule Interference. International journal of molecular sciences 2018;19.
  13. Sun Y, Woess K, Kienzl M, Leb-Reichl VM, Feinle A, Wimmer M, Zauner R, Wally V, Luetz-Meindl U, Mellerio JE, Fuentes I, South AP, Bauer JW, Reichelt J, Furihata T, Guttmann-Gruber C, Piñón Hofbauer J. Extracellular vesicles as biomarkers for the detection of a tumor marker gene in epidermolysis bullosa-associated squamous cell carcinoma. J Invest Dermatol 2017.
  14. Sawant M, Schwarz N, Windoffer R, Magin TM, Krieger J, Mücke N, Obara B, Jankowski V, Jankowski J, Wally V, Lettner T, Leube RE. Threonine 150 phosphorylation of keratin 5 is linked to EBS and regulates filament assembly and cell viability. J Invest Dermatol 2017.
  15. Machado Y, Duinkerken S, Hoepflinger V, Mayr M, Korotchenko E, Kurtaj A, Pablos I, Steiner M, Stoecklinger A, Lübbers J, Schmid M, Ritter U, Scheiblhofer S, Ablinger M, Wally V, Hochmann S, Raninger AM, Strunk D, van Kooyk Y, Thalhamer J, Weiss R. Synergistic effects of dendritic cell targeting and laser-microporation on enhancing epicutaneous skin vaccination efficacy. Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society 2017;266:87-99.
  16. Kocher T, Peking P, Klausegger A, Murauer EM, Hofbauer JP, Wally V, Lettner T, Hainzl S, Ablinger M, Bauer JW, Reichelt J, Koller U. Cut and Paste: Efficient Homology-Directed Repair of a Dominant Negative KRT14 Mutation via CRISPR/Cas9 Nickases. Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy 2017.
  17. Schosserer M, Reynoso R, Wally V, Jug B, Kantner V, Weilner S, Buric I, Grillari J, Bauer JW, Grillari-Voglauer R. Urine is a novel source of autologous mesenchymal stem cells for patients with epidermolysis bullosa. BMC Res Notes 2015;8:767.
  18. Koller U, Hainzl S, Kocher T, Hüttner C, Klausegger A, Gruber C, Mayr E, Wally V, Bauer JW, Murauer EM. Trans-splicing improvement by the combined application of antisense strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2015;16:1179-91.
  19. Lettner T, Lang R, Bauer JW, Wally V. Increased levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and interleukin-8 in blister fluids of dystrophic and junctional epidermolysis bullosa patients. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2014.
  20. Wally V, Lettner T, Peking P, Peckl-Schmid D, Murauer EM, Hainzl S, Hintner H, Bauer JW. The pathogenetic role of IL-1beta in severe epidermolysis bullosa simplex. J Invest Dermatol 2013;133:1901-3. 
  21. Wally V, Kitzmueller S, Lagler F, Moder A, Hitzl W, Wolkersdorfer M, Hofbauer P, Felder TK, Dornauer M, Diem A, Eiler N, Bauer JW. Topical diacerein for epidermolysis bullosa: a randomized controlled pilot study. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2013;8:69.
  22. Murauer EM, Koller U, Hainzl S, Wally V, Bauer JW. A reporter-based screen to identify potent 3' trans-splicing molecules for endogenous RNA repair. Hum Gene Ther Methods 2013;24:19-27.
  23. Lettner T, Lang R, Klausegger A, Hainzl S, Bauer JW, Wally V. MMP-9 and CXCL8/IL-8 Are Potential Therapeutic Targets in Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex. PLoS One 2013;8:e70123.
  24. Koller U, Wally V, Mitchell LG, Klausegger A, Murauer EM, Mayr E, Gruber C, Hainzl S, Hintner H, Bauer JW. A novel screening system improves genetic correction by internal exon replacement. Nucleic Acids Res 2011;39:e108.
  25. Wally V, Brunner M, Lettner T, Wagner M, Koller U, Trost A, Murauer EM, Hainzl S, Hintner H, Bauer JW. K14 mRNA reprogramming for dominant epidermolysis bullosa simplex. Hum Mol Genet 2010;19:4715-25.
  26. Trost A, Desch P, Wally V, Haim M, Maier RH, Reitsamer HA, Hintner H, Bauer JW, Onder K. Aberrant heterodimerization of keratin 16 with keratin 6A in HaCaT keratinocytes results in diminished cellular migration. Mech Ageing Dev 2010;131:346-53.
  27. Wally V, Klausegger A, Koller U, Lochmüller H, Krause S, Wiche G, Mitchell LG, Hintner H, Bauer JW. 5' trans-splicing repair of the PLEC1 gene. J Invest Dermatol 2008;128:568-74.
  28. Rid R, Simon-Nobbe B, Langdon J, Holler C, Wally V, Pöll V, Ebner C, Hemmer W, Hawranek T, Lang R, Richter K, MacDonald S, Rinnerthaler M, Laun P, Mari A, Breitenbach M. Cladosporium herbarum translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) is an IgE-binding antigen and is associated with disease severity. Molecular immunology 2008;45:406-18.
  29. Laimer M, Klausegger A, Aberer W, Oender K, Steinhuber M, Lanschuetzer CM, Wally V, Hintner H, Bauer JW. Haploinsufficiency due to deletion within the 3'-UTR of C1-INH-gene associated with hereditary angioedema. Genet Med 2006;8:249-54.
  30. Laimer M, Bauer JW, Klausegger A, Koller J, Pohla-Gubo G, Muss W, Sadler E, Emberger M, Lanschuetzer CM, Hametner R, Wally V, Oender K, Hinter H. Skin grafting as a therapeutic approach in pretibially restricted junctional epidermolysis bullosa. British Journal of Dermatology 2006;154:185-7.
  31. Mari A, Schneider P, Wally V, Breitenbach M, Simon-Nobbe B. Sensitization to fungi: epidemiology, comparative skin tests, and IgE reactivity of fungal extracts. Clinical and Experimental Allergy 2003; 33:1429-38.

Reviews

  1. Ablinger M, Wally V, Zauner R, Wimmer M. Erforschung von miRNAs bei aggressiven Plattenepithelkarzinomen. Spectrum Dermatologie 2021;01:21-5.
  2. Wally V, Reisenberger M, Kitzmüller S, Laimer M. Small molecule drug development for rare genodermatoses – evaluation of the current status in epidermolysis bullosa. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases 2020;15:292.
  3. Koller U, Wally V, Bauer JW, Murauer EM. Considerations for a Successful RNA Trans-splicing Repair of Genetic Disorders. Molecular Therapy-Nucleic Acids 2014;3.
  4. Bauer JW, Murauer EM, Wally V, Koller U. RNA trans-splicing for genodermatoses. Methods Mol Biol 2013;961:441-55.
  5. Wally V, Murauer EM, Bauer JW. Spliceosome-mediated trans-splicing: the therapeutic cut and paste. J Invest Dermatol 2012;132:1959-66.

Book Chapters

  1. Piñón Hofbauer J, Wally V, Guttmann-Gruber C, Gratz IK, Koller U. Therapy Development for Epidermolysis Bullosa [Online First].  Rare Diseases: Intechopen; 2021.
  2. Wally V, Koller U, Bauer JW. High-Throughput Screening for Highly Functional RNA-Trans-Splicing Molecules: Correction of Plectin in Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex. In: Plaseska-Karanfilska D, ed. Human Genetic Diseases2011:223-40.

2016 - present
Lectureship for "Physiology of the skin" at the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg

2012 - present
Guest lectureship for "Molecular Medicine" at the Paris Lodron University Salzburg

2006 - present
Supervision of 2 Postdocs, 4 PhD students and 6 Master students
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