1. Prof. Dr. Karlheinz Friedrich
Nonnenplan 2-4
07743 Jena
Telefon 03641-9396405
Telefax 03641-938642
E-Mail: karlheinz.friedrich@med.uni-jena.de
Jena, 09.07.2015
Universitätsklinikum Jena ·Institut für Biochemie II · Postfach · 07740 Jena
Bachstraße 18 · 07743 Jena · Telefon 03641 93 00 Universitätsklinikum Jena · Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts
als Teilkörperschaft der Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Internet: www.uniklinikum-jena.de Verwaltungsratsvorsitzender: Prof. Dr. Thomas Deufel
Gerichtsstand Jena Medizinischer Vorstand und Sprecher des Klinikumsvorstands:
Steuernummer 161 / 144 / 02978 · USt.-IdNr. DE 150545777 Prof. Dr. Klaus Höffken
Bankverbindung: Wissenschaftlicher Vorstand: Prof. Dr. Klaus Benndorf
Sparkasse Jena · BLZ 830 530 30 · Konto 221 Kaufmännischer Vorstand: Dr. Brunhilde Seidel-Kwem
Institut für Biochemie II
To whom in may concern
Reference for Nilabh Ranjan
Nilabh Ranjan has been working as a PhD student in my research group since January 2012
and was funded throughout most of this period of time by a scholarship granted by the
Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF) Jena.
Nilabh has pursued a project concerned with activity and inhibition of murine Thymic Stromal
Lymphopoietin (TSLP), a cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of Asthma bronchiale. He has
first adopted a cellular readout system for TSLP activity based on heterologous expression of
the TSLP receptor in a murine cell line in combination with a luciferase reporter gene. Using
published structural and functional information, he produced a recombinant murine TSLP
mutant with an amino acid substitution which he proved to interfere with the TSLP-induced
cellular response and to act as a partial antagonist. He also generated a recombinant ligand-
binding domain of the TSLP receptor which specifically blocked TSLP activity on the model
cells. Finally, Nilabh was able to show that the two proteins were potent in blocking a
physiological TSLP function, namely the upregulation of inflammatory surface markers on
natural murine dendritic cells. These achievements open up the perspective to evaluate the
performance of the TSLP inhibitors in a murine Asthma model in the future and were the basis
for a PhD thesis entitled „A study on antagonistic targeting of thymic stromal lymphopoietin
(TSLP) as a potential therapeutic strategy for Asthma bronchiale” which Nilabh has recently
submitted for evaluation by the Medical Faculty of this University.
Throughout his experimental work, Nilabh has acquired and successfully applied a wide variety
of biochemical and cell biological methods ranging from recombinant DNA work through cell
cultivation, flow cytometry to protein analysis and purification. His recently obtained results are
convincing and very interesting and his experimentation has reached a quality level that should
allow for the imminent submission of a conclusive paper to a major scientific journal.

2. In the course of his stay in my laboratory, Nilabh’s capabilities have progressively developed in
a remarkable manner. Being very ambitious and determined, he pursued his project patiently
and overcame setbacks with great energy and perseverance. He never lost faith in himself, was
very active and creative in finding useful information in the literature and persistently seeked
advice from experienced colleagues. He e.g. made consequent and successful use of
suggestions by his thesis committee to whom he reported progress annually. As a result of his
efforts, he has also acquired decent skills in structuring scientific information, planning novel
experiments, giving presentations and compiling scientific manuscripts.
As a group member, Nilabh has been very dedicated, sincere and dependable. I particularly
appreciate his ability to enthuse positive energy and team spirit among other team members.
For instance, he has played a vital role in the organization of last years’ “Summer Schools on
Molecular Medicine” at the University of Jena and has joyfully volunteered to assist the
international participants in finding their way and feeling comfortable in Jena during their stay.
His devotion and creativity as a “mentor” during this time was exceptional.
I understand that Nilabh is now applying for a future position. I am convinced that he will be a
major gain for any working environment in which he can contribute his scope of skills, his
enthusiasm and his constant will to still further unfold his talents. I wish him all the best for his
future.
Prof. Dr. KH. Friedrich