The Gotthardt Group studies how NK cells function in health and disease, with a primary focus on immune dysfunction, aging, and malignancy. They investigate the mechanisms behind NK cell dysfunction within the tumor microenvironment, aiming to identify novel checkpoints to restore their cytotoxic potential for targeted immunotherapy. Complementing this work, the group leverages strong expertise in JAK/STAT signaling to decode the genetic drivers behind NK cell leukemias, exploring how aberrant pathways transform protective immune cells into aggressive blood cancers. 

The lab integrates advanced molecular biology, high-throughput sequencing, and functional in vitro assays with complex preclinical in vivo models and patient-derived samples. By combining these mechanistic laboratory diagnostics with translational approaches, they bridge the gap between basic research and clinical oncology. Their work ultimately contributes to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets, the overcoming of treatment resistance, and the development of next-generation immunotherapies against both solid tumors and hematological malignancies.