Junior Research Group Leader
Dr. rer. nat. Ann-Christin Hau
Dr. Senckenberg Institute for Neurooncology, Neurological Institute (Edinger Institute)
Research focus: Patient-relevant tumor models for identifying novel therapeutic targets for patients with gliomas
Contact: ann-christin.hau@unimedizin-ffm.de
Translational Neurooncology - Hau Lab
The Translational Neuro-Oncology group develops patient-relevant tumor models to investigate plasticity, invasion, and immune interactions in high-grade diffuse gliomas. For this purpose, the research group develops patient-derived tumor organoids (PDTOs), orthotopic xenografts (PDOXs), and GLICO fusion models that realistically reflect both tumor heterogeneity and the cerebral microenvironment. In particular, GLICOs enables to analyze mechanisms of invasion and interactions at the tumor–brain interface.
In addition, Dr. Ann-Christin Hau and her research group members are establishing immune-competent organoids to study tumor–immune and immune–immune cell axes (e.g., CAR-T/NK cells, checkpoint blockade). These models serve as a platform for functional screens, preclinical drug testing, and epigenetic analyses with direct relevance for co-clinical studies.
The aim of the Translational Neuro-Oncology Lab is to identify novel therapeutic targets through the combination of basic and translational approaches to sustainably improve the treatment of patients with gliomas, always in close collaboration with clinicians, surgeons, and pathologists at the University Hospital in Frankfurt.
Find out more about the Hau Lab here.
