The cells of our immune system not only protect us from invading bacteria and viral pathogens, but also combat transformed malignant cancer cells. The subject of our tumor-immunology research is to decipher the mechanisms by which cancer cells succeed in circumventing clearance by the immune system or even exploit immune cells for tumor growth. Another focus of our group is the quest for the origin of malignant cells and the nature of the mutations underlying malignant transformation and clonal evolution of tumor cells.  In this context, we are especially interested in the DNA-deaminating enzyme AICDA, which is expressed in B lymphocytes and some B cell lymphomas and which is meant to play a crucial role in lymphomagenesis based on its mutagenic activity.

Team

Dr. Roland Geisberger (Supervisor)

Ass. Dr. Lukas Weiss

Ass. Dr. Thomas Melchardt

Mag. Franz Gassner (PhD Student)

Michael Huemer, M.Sc. (PhD student)