Research

The group aims to obtain unprecedented mechanistic insight into intra- and inter-cellular signalling processes that modulate cell fate decisions between life and death. To this end we apply a broad portfolio of cell biological, biochemical, biophysical and systems biological approaches.

Our research interests focus on the development of recombinant antibodies (small bispecific and bifunctional antibody molecules, humanized antibodies) with improved biological and pharmacokinetic properties and targeted nanoparticulate carrier systems for cancer therapy.

We are interested in the functional contribution of specific oncogenes and tumor suppressors to cellular transformation, with a focus on breast tumorigenesis. We are studying membrane-proximal signaling events that control cell proliferation, migration and invasion.

Our research integrates cutting-edge experimental, computational, and theoretical approaches to dissect the molecular origins of cell-to-cell heterogeneity and its implications for human diseases.

We are interested in the physiological functions of Protein Kinase D. Specific projects address the role of PKD and its substrates in secretion and tumor cell migration and invasion using 2D and 3D cell culture systems as well as whole organisms (transgenic mouse models).

Our research has its focus on the development of combinatorial strategies for cancer immunotherapy in form of targeted approaches involving bispecific antibodies and antibody fusion proteins with immune modulatory ligands and cytokines.

Our lab focuses on understanding how the properties and behavior of individual cells in the intestinal epithelium give rise to tissue-scale function. We are interested in collective cell behaviors during homeostasis and how dysregulation of these processes contributes to intestinal pathologies such as inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer.