Rudelius Lab

Research Focus

Using multiparametric single-cell analysis we study the pathogenesis and (immune-) biology of tumors. In the era of molecular and immune-targeting therapies understanding the crosstalk of tumor and tumor microenvironment (TME) is essential to determine treatment vulnerability and resistance. Therefore, our main focus is the analysis of the tumor and the TME such as tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) or cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). We are convinced, that it is important to study tumor-microenvironment interactions at a spatial resolution and single cell level and not at bulk level.

Another focus of our group is cardiovascular pathology; we investigate factors that lead to the instability of an atherosclerotic plaque and thus to complications such as myocardial infarction. In particular, we are investigating the origin, function and interaction of immune cells and smooth muscle cells in the atherosclerotic plaque.

We have implemented several single-cell analysis methods:

· multispectral imaging

· spatial transcriptomics

· spatial metabolomics (collaboration Prof. Dr. A. Walch)

· Single cell RNAseq

The close exchange with clinical experts in the context of daily routine as well as national and international reference centers and networks (CCC (Clinical Cancer Center Munich); DKTK; EWOG MDS/SAA; ECNM), German Lymphoma Alliance (GLA); European MCL Network) guides our research and allows a transition of our results into the clinic.

News

In May 2024 Dr . med. Heiko Schulz from the Institute of Pathology at LMU was a guest at the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences in Mwanza, Tanzania. In return, colleagues from the partner university were invited to spend time at the Institute of Pathology at LMU Munich. The aim of the international research cooperation is to gain insights into endemic tumours and to exchange specialist expertise.