Translational Neuroblastoma Research

My laboratory pursues Translational Neuroblastoma Research. We focus on mechanisms that drive uncontrolled proliferation, mediate therapy resistance, block neuronal differentiation and promote the invasion-metastasis cascade by applying systems biology concepts to a solid basis of high-throughput molecular profiling data. Preclinical neuroblastoma models include primary neuroblastoma cell cultures, organoids and patient-derived xenografts. All research projects are directed towards providing a basis for decision-making in the rational development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma patients. Drug development aspects addressed include target identification, proof of concept, tumor selectivity, extended target validation, biochemical and mechanistic cell-based assay development.