Research focus
Communication between different cell types is central for the development and maintenance of a multi-cellular organism. Perturbation in the intercellular communication is a key feature of cancer. My interest lies in the understanding of the effects of heterotypic cellular interaction on global gene expression. Studying these effects of cellular interaction with in vitro models should reveal the mechanisms underlying the gene expression signatures in vivo as they are observed by DNA microarray analysis in normal and diseased tissues. Focusing on cancer, my aim is the characterization of the changes in gene expression due to the alteration of the bidirectional signaling between the transformed tumor cells and their stromal microenvironment. Mainly based on animal models, there is emerging evidence of the importance of tumor-stroma interaction for tumor progression. By dissecting the effects of tumor-stroma interaction in human cells under a comprehensive molecular view we might deepen our insight in the mechanisms of tumor progression and metastasis in humans. The ultimate goal must be to determine clinically useful predictive markers as well as new therapeutic targets for cancer cure.