Dagmar Gotthardt-Pötsch honored with the Elisabeth Lutz Prize of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW)

The Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) has honored Dagmar Gotthardt-Pötsch, Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Vetmeduni, with the Elisabeth Lutz Prize. This prestigious award recognizes her outstanding scientific achievements and her contributions to research on natural killer cells (NK cells), a central component of the immune system. Through her work, she has gained new insights into the role of these cells in tumor defense and their rare but aggressive transformation into malignant diseases.

1/2

2/2

Research on NK cells: A key to cancer control

Dagmar Gotthardt-Pötsch has dedicated her scientific career to studying natural killer cells (NK cells), which play a central role in tumor defense and immune surveillance. Her goal is to decipher the processes that govern the function and health of these cells. A significant success of her research was identifying the transcription factor STAT5 as a dual regulator in tumor immunology: in addition to its essential role in the differentiation and maturation of NK cells, STAT5 acts as a potent suppressor of tumor angiogenesis. By selectively repressing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the microenvironment, STAT5 inhibits the pro-tumor activity of NK cells - an observation that opens new translational avenues for therapeutically reactivating the immune response.

Complementing this, Dagmar Gotthardt-Pötsch demonstrated that the homeostasis of this system is highly sensitive: excessive activation of STAT5B results in uncontrolled proliferation of NK cells, ultimately leading to aggressive leukemias. Using an innovative mouse model, she succeeded for the first time in recapitulating the progression from a mild to a severe form of NK cell leukemia. This model provides a valuable foundation for exploring new strategies to prevent and treat this rare but serious disease.

From basic research to clinical application

In addition to her work on NK cells, Dagmar Gotthardt-Pötsch has achieved decisive insights into other blood cancers. Her investigations into B‑cell leukemias have uncovered new molecular mechanisms that influence the onset and course of these diseases. These findings open promising avenues for developing innovative therapies, particularly synergistic combination treatments. Through targeted pharmacological inactivation of cyclin C, resistance to standard inhibitors can be overcome and massive apoptosis induced in malignant B cells. With her research, she is building a bridge between basic science and clinical practice to find innovative solutions for the treatment of cancer.

Vetmeduni extends its warmest congratulations!

About the Elisabeth Lutz Prize:
The Elisabeth Lutz Prize of the Austrian Academy of Sciences recognizes outstanding scientific achievements in basic research, particularly in the natural sciences. It promotes interdisciplinary approaches as well as future-oriented and sustainable projects. The prize money is awarded in equal parts to the researchers, the research institution, and its supporting organization, to enable continuation of the award-winning work.

To the Top