Upcoming Events
SPEAKER: Professor Dr. Kai Schulze-Forster
TITLE: Autoimmune Antibodies: A Missing Piece In M.E., POTS And Long COVID?
GPCR autoantibodies – a new biomarker class offering insights into chronic conditions
DATE: Tuesday 13th January 2026
TIME: 7:00PM GMT | 8:00PM CET | 2:00PM EST
DESCRIPTION:
Join us for the first in a series of webinars highlighting the groundbreaking testing offered by CellTrend Laboratory in Germany.
Emerging research is uncovering the role of a novel class of biomarkers: autoantibodies, which are antibodies that mistakenly target the body’s own receptors in complex neuroimmune and autonomic disorders such as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Small Fibre Neuropathy (SFN), and Long COVID.
In this session, Professor Dr. Kai Schulze-Forster, CEO of CellTrend, will explore the pioneering work of MD scientists Professors Carmen Scheibenbogen and Uwe Wirth, whose research laid the foundation for these innovative markers.
The webinar will also cover:
- How autoantibodies may disrupt receptors that regulate heart rate, blood flow, neurotransmission, and immune balance, contributing to hallmark symptoms in these conditions.
- The history and discovery of these biomarkers.
- The advanced immunoassays developed in collaboration with Charité University Hospital, Berlin, which enable clinicians and researchers to measure these specific antibodies and gain valuable physiological insights.
Key markers discussed will include:
- Beta-1 and Beta-2 adrenergic receptor autoantibodies
- Muscarinic M3 and M4 acetylcholine receptor autoantibodies
Discover how these insights are shaping research and patient care in chronic neuroimmune conditions.
Learn more about CellTrend’s testing: https://aonm.org/celltrend/
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ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Prof Kai Schulze-Forster is a pharmacist, molecular geneticist and biotechnology expert with more than three decades of experience in pharmaceutical research, diagnosistics and biotechnical innovations. He completed his Pharmacy degree at the Free University of Berlin and earned his PhD in Molecular Genetics at the Robert Koch Institute, where he investigated biochemical and genetic mechanisms relevant to human health and disease. In 1998, Kai Schulze-Forster co-founded CellTrend GmBH, a biotechnology company specialising in antibody testing and molecular diagnostics. As co-owner he currently leads the Department for Antibody Test Systems, where he oversees the development and validation of diagnostic assays and biomarker platforms used in international collaborations in autoimmune and translational research.
He has served in multiple Qualified Person (QP) roles under German pharmaceutical law, ensuring compliance and quality assurance across drug manufacturing, packaging and clinical operations. His professional career includes senior leadership and consulting positions in major pharmaceutical and diagnostic organisations, including his tenure as CEO of the Centre for Molecular Oncology GmbH.
In recognition of his scientific and professional achievements, he was appointed Professor of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at the Technical University of Applied Science Wildau in 2019, where he continues to teach and mentor in the field. An inventor on several patents and author of numerous peer-reviewed publications, Kai Schulze-Forster brings exceptional expertise in pharmaceutical biotechnology, molecular diagnostics and translational innovation to this project. He will oversee immune profiling through CellTrend by measuring autoantibodies, and provide expertise as a consultant co-author, advising on study design prior to implementation, reviewing fieldwork for autoantibody analysis and assisting in the interpretation of immunological findings.
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Register here: www.aonm.org/autoimmuneantibodies
SPEAKERS: Dr. Aylin Ozdemir, Kunal Garg, Professor Leona Gilbert
TITLE: Lyme, Co-Infections, and the Brain: Clinical Strategies for Neuropsychiatric and Neurological Recovery
DATE: Tuesday 24th February
TIME: 6:00PM GMT | 7:00PM CET | 1:00PM EST
DESCRIPTION:
Join Dr. Aylin Ozdemir for an expert-led exploration of the neurological and neuropsychiatric complexities of Lyme disease and associated co-infections, based on a recently published peer-reviewed research paper (June 2025).
This webinar examines why Lyme disease is frequently misdiagnosed in patients presenting with cognitive, behavioural, and neurological symptoms, and how expanded diagnostic approaches can reveal underlying immune dysregulation and neuroinflammation when standard testing falls short.
Drawing from real-world clinical cases, attendees will learn about integrative therapeutic approaches to support neurological and neuropsychiatric recovery, including antimicrobial strategies, immune modulation, neuroprotective and mitochondrial support, and long-term maintenance protocols to reduce relapse.
Dr. Kunal Garg will provide a brief overview of the application of CARE Guidelines, highlighting the importance of rigorous case documentation and high-quality publishing in advancing evidence-informed Lyme disease care.
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ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Dr. Aylin Ozdemir is a respected leader in paediatrics and integrative and functional medicine, widely recognised for pioneering evidence-based approaches to advanced medical care.
Since 2001, Dr. Ozdemir has served as the owner and medical director of Paediatric Associates of Jacksonville, a legacy paediatric practice originally founded in 1932, which she continues to guide with vision, innovation, and clinical excellence.
Dr. Ozdemir completed her medical degree at the University of Istanbul and pursued postgraduate training at Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children in the UK. She then undertook her paediatric residency at both the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (University of Pennsylvania) and Long Island College Hospital (SUNY).
Her dedication to integrative medicine led her to complete the prestigious Fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona under the direction of Dr. Andrew Weil from 2010-2012. She further advanced her knowledge with specialised training in Integrative and Holistic Medicine at Scripps Centre for Integrative Medicine and in Nutrigenomics at Bastyr University.
Dr. Ozdemir’s expertise in understanding and implementing numerous paradigms such as how the environment, genes and nutrition play a role in the whole patient systems approach allows her to practice a distinctive and extremely effective style of treatment and care. In her approach, she uses multiple conventional and integrative medicine disciplines that allow her a choice when customising a patient’s care plan.
Kunal Garg is a biotechnology and nanoscience expert specialising in diagnostic solutions for infectious and chronic diseases. He is the co-founder, CTO, and shareholder of Tezted Ltd, a Finland-based in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) manufacturing company.
Kunal leads the development of innovative ELISA-based multiplex tests, including those for tick-borne diseases, viral reactivation, autoimmunity, and mycotoxins.
His work focuses on expanding diagnostic accessibility, particularly in emerging markets like India and Mexico, where he is establishing distribution networks and clinical laboratories.
With a strong entrepreneurial drive, Kunal actively engages in product development, regulatory compliance, and market expansion while continuously building his expertise in business, finance, and economics.
Professor Leona Gilbert is a Docent / Adjunct Professor of Cell and Molecular Biology and the CEO of Tezted Oy. She has over 20 years’ experience in research-driven initiatives that provided valuable tools for patients.
She has a doctorate in biotechnology and very long experience in bio-innovation and bio-business. She has supervised numerous PhD, MSc and BSc students and published various peer-reviewed articles. Prof. Gilbert’s research initiatives into complete diagnostic platforms and clinical profiling of patients for tick-borne and autoimmune diseases will allow a better understanding of how chronic conditions could be established with infectious pathogens.
In addition, Professor Gilbert’s publications also demonstrate the thorough investigation of how a common virus or bacterium can contribute to autoimmune diseases. Another highlight in these publications is the demonstration of a multi-disciplinary background and collaborative efforts between clinicians, microbiologists, diagnostic developers, nano-scientists, physicists, and engineers.
Professor Gilbert’s research initiatives into complete diagnostic platforms and clinical profiling of patients for tick-borne and autoimmune diseases will allow a better understanding of how chronic conditions could be established with infectious pathogens.
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Registe here: www.aonm.org/LymeCoinfectionsOzdemir
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The information on this webpage and these webinars is intended for educational and informative purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical or professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with regards to any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment before undertaking a health care regimen. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice because of information you have read or seen on this website. The opinions stated in these webinars are those of the people speaking and not necessarily of AONM.