I´m a biologist by training and currently work as a senior researcher at the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany. My research focuses on understanding how intracellular cytokine-induced signaling robustly encodes and transmits information, with a special focus on my favorite cytokine IL-6.
Please tell us your name, degree, where you currently work, and position.
My name is Anna Dittrich, and I hold a PhD in Biology. I currently work as a senior researcher and project leader at the Department of Systems Biology at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany. My days are split between teaching future cytokine enthusiasts at the B.Sc. and M.Sc. level and trying to untangle the complexity of cytokine signalling.
Where did you do your training?
I studied biology at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf and RWTH Aachen in Germany. My path into the cytokine field began during my diploma thesis at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Aachen, which was led at the time by Peter C. Heinrich. I continued this journey during my PhD in Magdeburg under the supervision of Fred Schaper, were I focused on the role of feedback proteins in IL-6 signalling. I later spent time as a JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow in the lab of Akihiko Yoshimura at Keio University in Tokyo, were I addressed the role of SOCS3 in dendritic cell function.
Briefly, what is your research about?
I am fascinated by how cells manage to extract meaningful information from cytokine signals in a noisy and heterogeneous environment. My research focuses on understanding how intracellular cytokine signalling robustly encodes and transmits information, with a special soft spot for IL-6.
Tell us your thoughts about the Cytokines Society: how has being involved in the Cytokine Society helped your career?
Listening and talking to others who get equally excited about cytokines, signalling pathways, and feedback loops is incredibly motivating. The Cytokine Society and its meetings are thus a cherished source of inspiration and scientific energy for me.
Are there any particular friendships or collaborations that came specifically out of Cytokines meetings?
Definitely! Many ideas for future experiments were born during the informal discussions at posters or coffee breaks. In fact, one such discussion at a poster during the Cytokines meeting in Bamberg eventually grew into a valuable collaboration on information-theoretical views of cytokine signalling.
What Cytokines meeting(s) have been your favorites? Tell us about any special memories or anecdotes.
On a personal level, the 2023 Cytokines meeting in Athens stands out. It was the first large in-person meeting I attended after parental leave and the pandemic, making it especially memorable.
I still fondly remember sharing generous amounts of German food with colleagues from Japan in Bamberg. More recently, sitting together with large parts of the IL-6 community in a cozy restaurant in Athens was a wonderful reminder of how valuable these types of personal interactions are. Turning colleagues into friends is one of the most rewarding aspects of these meetings.
What do you like to do when not in the lab?
Also, outside the lab, curiosity drives me. I love strolling through new cities, exploring architecture, food, and art. Every second week, I join a pub quiz with a team of university colleagues, including, of course, a few fellow cytokine and signaling fans.
What is the best life/career advice you’ve ever received?
The solution to every problem begins with the first step, don’t hesitate to take it.
What book or TV show are you reading/watching right now that you recommend?
I recently read “Just Here for a While” by María Ospina Pizano, which offers a beautiful perspective on our world, especially the American continent, through the eyes of migratory birds, a beetle, and a porcupine. Staying in the animal world, I watched “Billy & Molly”, a heartwarming film about a small otter and his human family, featuring stunning views of the Shetland Islands. It was also a big hit with my son, who happens to love otters.
What is your favorite cytokine?
No surprise here: IL-6, and the whole IL-6 family.