Advanced Mouse Models & In Vivo Oncology

We leverage sophisticated in vivo models to translate complex immunological concepts into therapeutic insights. Transgenic & genetic mouse models: specialized systems including NK cell-specific knockouts (KOs), NK cell-deficient models, and models for studying NK cell hyperactivity. In vivo tumor studies: robust preclinical oncology models to evaluate tumor progression and therapeutic efficacy. Translational drug testing: seamless validation pipeline spanning in vitro high-throughput drug screening to in vivo efficacy testing.

High-Dimensional Immune Profiling

Our laboratory utilizes cutting-edge single cell analysis to dissect immune responses with high precision. Multicolor Flow Cytometry: Comprehensive immune cell characterization and immunophenotyping. Intracellular flow cytometry staining: detection of intracellular cytokines, transcription factors, and signaling molecules. Phosphoprotein analysis: Dissection of immune cell signaling pathways and activation states.

Cellular Immunology & Functional Assays

Primary Cell Culture: Sterile, optimized culture of primary immune cells and established cell lines. NK cell functionality assays: specialized in vitro platforms to assess NK-cell cytotoxicity, degranulation, and cytokine production.

Molecular Biology & Tissue Pathology

Next-Generation Sequencing: Transcriptomic profiling via RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to uncover global gene expression shifts. Gene & Protein Expression: Precision quantification using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting. Histopathology: Detailed tissue architecture analysis using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and May-Grünwald Giemsa staining

Vetmeduni: Research

Pharmacology and Toxicology

Research groups

Group Gotthardt - Immune Aging & Immunotherapy

Research

Interest 1: Optimizing NK Cell Fitness for Cancer Immunotherapy

This research area focuses on identifying novel molecular checkpoints, genetic regulators, and small-molecule compounds that enhance Natural Killer (NK) cell anti-tumor potency. By dissecting the signaling networks that govern NK cell activation and metabolic persistence, the goal is to engineer next-generation cellular therapies. Ultimately, this work aims to equip NK cells with the metabolic "fitness" required to successfully infiltrate, survive, and eliminate (solid) tumors within highly immunosuppressive microenvironments.

Interest 2: Dissecting NK Cell Dysfunction and Physiological Senescence

Aging significantly alters immune homeostasis, yet the precise drivers of NK cell immunosenescence remain an entirely underexplored and barely described area of immunology. This initiative investigates the unknown physiological conditions that give rise to long-lived, senescent NK cells. We seek to map their systemic roles, identify the core epigenetic and metabolic regulators of this state, and discover targeted therapeutic strategies to rejuvenate these dysfunctional populations, restoring robust immune surveillance in aging organisms.

Interest 3: Mechanisms of NK Cell Transformation and Senescence Barriers

While cellular senescence acts as a potent cell-intrinsic barrier against malignancy, its breakdown can permit oncogenic progression. This initiative explores the precise molecular mechanisms underlying NK cell leukemic transformation. Utilizing two innovative preclinical in vivo models, we map the transition from indolent senescence to aggressive leukemia. These unique platforms serve as a foundation for high-throughput drug screening, testing novel compounds, and discovering targeted therapeutic options to eliminate NK-cell malignancies.

Main Techniques

We leverage sophisticated in vivo models to translate complex immunological concepts into therapeutic insights.

Transgenic & genetic mouse models: specialized systems including NK cell-specific knockouts (KOs), NK cell-deficient models, and models for studying NK cell hyperactivity.

In vivo tumor studies: robust preclinical oncology models to evaluate tumor progression and therapeutic efficacy.

Translational drug testing: seamless validation pipeline spanning in vitro high-throughput drug screening to in vivo efficacy testing.

Our laboratory utilizes cutting-edge single cell analysis to dissect immune responses with high precision.

Multicolor Flow Cytometry: Comprehensive immune cell characterization and immunophenotyping.

Intracellular flow cytometry staining: detection of intracellular cytokines, transcription factors, and signaling molecules.

Phosphoprotein analysis: Dissection of immune cell signaling pathways and activation states.

Primary Cell Culture: Sterile, optimized culture of primary immune cells and established cell lines.
NK cell functionality assays: specialized in vitro platforms to assess NK-cell cytotoxicity, degranulation, and cytokine production.

Next-Generation Sequencing: Transcriptomic profiling via RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to uncover global gene expression shifts.

Gene & Protein Expression: Precision quantification using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting.

Histopathology: Detailed tissue architecture analysis using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and May-Grünwald Giemsa staining

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