Researcher Database
Prof. Dr. Jens Siveke
University Hospital Essen
Hufelandstr. 55
45147 Essen
Program
Molecularly Targeted Therapy (MTT)
Summary
Our overarching goal is to find better diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for cancer patients by interacting preclinical and clinical research. By combining the best suitable model systems with advanced profiling technologies and therapeutics, we seek to identify novel aspects in tumor biology and create targeting strategies that can be developed for clinical evaluation.
Our laboratory efforts include
- the development and characterization of advanced tumor models (PDX, GEM, organoids) that best resemble the complexity and interaction of tumor cells and their microenvironment
- the implementation of molecular technologies for a better understanding of the tumor biology and clinical applicability (e.g. comprehensive and integrated -omics analysis, tissue and liquid biomarkers, metabolic and epigenetic mechanisms)
- Characterization and integration of epigenetic, metabolic and immune regulatory networks
Our clinical efforts are
- the development and initiation of early clinical proof-of-concept studies in solid cancers (e.g. pancreatic, biliary, gastroesophageal) in combination with state-of-the-art translational molecular and imaging programs
- biomarker-based and imaging studies for early detection of cancer and treatment response monitoring
- participation in multi-center clinical trials to offer patients access to promising new treatment approaches
We believe it is these translational approaches that will hopefully help to better understand the complexity of cancer and reduce the barriers and delays between bench work and patient needs.
DKTK Junior Group Leader for Cancer Systems Biology
Single-cell approaches have not only revealed a wide variety of cell states, characterized by cells exhibiting striking differences in their transcriptional profile, but have also illuminated the mechanisms underlying state transitions in health and disease. Cellular plasticity and adaptive state changes have recently emerged as a basis for therapeutic resistance in cancer, and a better understanding of how cell state transitions are regulated is critical to develop therapeutic approaches that can overcome therapy resistance.
Our research focuses on understanding the mechanisms driving non-genetic cellular heterogeneity and therapy resistance in malignancy. Using novel single-cell sequencing approaches, we seek to develop new experimental and computational strategies to define altered cell states in both, cancer and immune cells. Our aim is to leverage a data driven strategy combined with single cell genomics and systems biology to address the challenges posed by heterogeneity in cancer, and to develop new strategies to overcome it, with the aim of translating laboratory-based findings into the clinic.