Computational Cancer Genomics

Our research

Our team is advancing bioinformatics methods to interpret high-throughput data, with a particular focus on better understanding cancer, its causes and clinical implications. By developing and applying state-of-the-art computational tools, we analyze molecular genetic data in a clinical context to uncover biological processes relevant to oncology.

Current research focus:

Optimizing breast cancer treatment through molecular tumor boards
In collaboration with projects such as CATCH and COGNITION, our team performs bioinformatic analyses and clinical interpretations of genomic alterations in breast cancer patients to support therapeutic decisions in the tumor board.
Together with Andreas Schneeweiss, we contribute to clinical trials at the NCT and support personalized therapy decisions through comprehensive variant analyses and the preparation of molecular tumor boards.

Understanding tumor development and clonal evolution
Using both bulk and single-cell datasets, we investigate transcriptional, epigenetic and genomic changes that drive tumor growth.
We are currently working on the analysis of clonal evolution in breast tumors and the use of single-cell methods to study the tumor microenvironment. In another project, we are focusing on brain metastases of breast cancer and investigating interactions between tumor cells, immune cells and brain tissue.

Characterization of microbial components in tumors
As part of the PCAWG project, we have analyzed the role of viral factors in carcinogenesis in large patient cohorts and identified genomic changes associated with viral infections.
Building on this research, we are now investigating viral and bacterial influences on cancer, particularly in the context of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Team

Our team is committed to advancing precision medicine through innovative bioinformatics approaches with the goal of improving patient care by integrating molecular insights into clinical practice.