Research Profile
The overarching aim of our basic oncological research is to gain a better understanding of non-transformed cells and the microbiome, the so-called tumour microenvironment (TME) as a factor in the development and treatment of solid and haematological cancers. State-of-the-art methods and models are used to develop and evaluate innovative therapeutic strategies. The Institute's strict focus on the TME represents a clear national unique selling point.
Two Research Areas
Tumor Microenvironment – Pathogenesis and Target Structures
The reciprocal interaction of cells within the TME influences all stages of tumor development. Another important non-cellular component that is relevant for both pathogenesis and response to therapy in many tumors is the intestinal microbiome. Pathogenic bacteria and their metabolic products can trigger tumorigenesis through a variety of direct or indirect mechanisms and influence the response to both conventional chemotherapy and immunotherapies. A key feature of TME is the high degree of plasticity of both tumor and surrounding cells. Inflammatory processes are an important driver and modulator of this cell plasticity and are therefore implicated in the progression of the disease in a large number of tumors. The complex cellular interactions, the molecular characterization of the components of the signaling cascades involved, the investigation of the intestinal microbiome and the influence of diet on it are the focus of the research programs of the four working groups in this program area.
Experimental Therapy
The overarching aim of this area is to develop and evaluate new cellular, immunological and gene therapy treatment approaches. A particular focus of this program area is on translation into early clinical trials. Cancer cells are often characterized by the expression of so-called tumor-associated antigens, which in principle enable specific recognition by the immune system. At an early stage of the disease, malignant transformation and the associated tissue damage in many cases actually lead to activation of the immune system, which can restrict tumor growth, at least for a limited period of time. However, as the disease progresses, this selection pressure favors the growth of tumor cells, which are now able to evade or actively suppress an immune response directed against the tumor. In the context of antigen-specific immune defense, the various research groups are focusing on different approaches to the development of new immunotherapies.
Technology and Methods
The two program areas are supported by a variety of state-of-the-art technical platforms. These facilities are available to all working groups at the GSH as well as university cooperation partners within the framework of joint research networks.
- In addition to an animal husbandry service facility, there is a pre-clinical service facility for conducting pre-clinical therapy trials on standardized tumor models.
- There is a Transgenic Core Facility (TCF) for the generation of transgenic and knockout mice.
- Standardized histopathological processing of tumor samples from the animal models is offered in the Histology Service Facility.
- The flow cytometry unit enables the analysis of immune cells.
- The Imaging Core Facility maintains the Institute's various imaging instruments and thus optimizes in vivo and ex vivo analyses.
- An immunomonitoring unit supports the standardized immunophenotypic analysis of tumor samples and allows spatial transcriptomics analyses in addition to multifluorescence analyses.
- In cooperation with the Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy at Goethe University, a chemical biology unit is operated that allows high-throughput screens (HTS) of primary tumor samples and drug-screening approaches to be carried out.
Equal opportunities
Gender equality, diversity, reconciliation and inclusion are important foundations for enabling excellent research. The aim is to unfold all existing potential and skills for successful science by implementing equal opportunities. The Georg-Speyer-Haus offers career support for female scientists in order to further strengthen their representation at management level. We facilitate the compatibility of family and career with supportive measures as individually as possible and on a broader level in cooperation with Goethe University. Diversity, anti-discrimination and inclusion are important to us and we are continuing to develop an open, diversity-sensitive way of working.
