Therapeutic targeting of tumor networks in brain metastases

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Beschreibung der Arbeit

In vivo two-photon microscopy, in vitro live-cell imaging, calcium imaging in vitro and in vivo, RNA-sequencing, immune-histofluorescence of preclinical models and clinical samples, FACS, in vivo patient-derived brain metastases models, usage and development of image analysis pipelines.

The Winkler laboratory (Neurology / Experimental Neurooncology) at the DKFZ and UKHD focusses on research in the emerging field of ‘Cancer Neuroscience’. We demonstrated in glioma how tumor growth and invasion is supported by tumor cells developing neuronal features (Osswald et al, Nature 2015, Hausmann et al, Nature 2023). Moreover, we revealed direct interactions between neurons and brain tumor cells (Venkataramani et al, Nature 2019, Venkataramani & Karreman et al, BioRxiv 2024 and in revision). Recently, we discovered that brain metastases (BM) show calcium oscillations, which support BM progression in vitro and in preclinical animal models in vivo. The proposed project will investigate new therapeutic approaches targeting these malignant tumor networks.

Rahmenbedingungen

Daily supervision in the laboratory and structured training in the established techniques and methodologies will be provided. The applicant will be able to contact their direct supervisors on a daily basis and will participate in team meetings once weekly and an additional meeting with the entire lab weekly, in which progress reports and journal clubs also take place. The applicant has access to the infrastructure and seminars offered by the Cancer Neuroscience network in Heidelberg.

The applicant is keen to learn new methodologies and new scientific concepts, highly motivated, interested in working in a team and dedicated to the work. The applicant needs to be willing to work with mice. A FELASA-B accreditation is a plus, but not an requirement.

Applications for grants will be encouraged and supported, and will be done together with the supervisors (Dr. Karreman and Prof. Winkler). Alternatively a HiWi job is envisioned.

A first or at least a co-authorship is envisioned.

The dissertation will be performed at the DKFZ Heidelberg in the Laboratory of Prof. Frank Winkler in the team of Dr. Matthia Karreman. More information: https://www.dkfz.de/en/experimental-neurooncology @matthiakarreman.bsky.social @winklerlab.bsky.social