Deciphering molecular links between the tumour microenvironment and functional plasticity of tumour-associated neutrophils (A04)

• Subject Area: Immunology
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 449437943

A high intratumoural frequency of neutrophils (designated TAN) is associated with poor outcome in cancer patients. This project aims to identify the distinct mechanisms that regulate TAN recruitment and density in the tumour core and the tumour stroma. To this end, we will map the human tumour microenvironment by spatial omics analyses, relate this information with neutrophil counts and phenotype, and validate identified candidate molecules using in vitro and in vivo models. Thus, this project will identify clinically relevant factors that help to explain the well-documented tumour promoting function of TAN in the human oncology space.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 332: Neutrophils: origin, fate and function
• Applicant Institution: Universität Münster
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Sven Brandau, since 7/2022