Working groups
At the forefront of medical advances, this research group is developing innovative strategies to improve the treatment of pancreatic cancer. The lethality of this cancer stems from its heterogeneity: pancreatic carcinoma does not present itself as a uniform clinical entity, but rather in various molecular subtypes, each requiring a targeted therapeutic approach. A primary focus of our research lies in the investigation of interactions that are specific to molecular subtypes between cancer cells and other components in the tumor microenvironment. Particularly, the role of integrins is a key area of interest in this context. Additionally, our team is directed towards developing serum protein markers that can accurately identify the molecular subtype of pancreatic cancer. We are also pioneers of a series of perioperative strategies for the care of patients undergoing high-risk, major pancreatic resections.
Working group leader
Team
Team Leader
PD Dr. Dr. med. Bo Kong
Head of scientific editorial team
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Ingrid Herr
Senior scientists and advicers
PD Dr. Franco Fortunato (PhD)
Dr. rer. nat. Michael Schäfer
Post Docs
Dr. sc. hum. Bindhu Madhavan
Yina Qiao
Technicians
Sonja Bauer (in Mutterschutz)
Mutterschaftsvertretung Mohamad Freigeh (ab 1.6.24)
Elvira Mohr
Sascha Hinterkopf
MD students
Chao Fang
Jingxiong Hu
Xiaoyan Huang
Yiqi Niu
Lingling Zhang
Xiufen Yang (bis 31.04.2024)
Zhen Qing
Yiping Yin
Franz Li (HIWI/student asssistant)
Dr. sc. hum.
Malte Hermes
Financing
Third-party funds
Selected publications
1. Zhao Y, Schoeps B, Yao D, et al, Kong B. mTORC1 and mTORC2 Converge on the Arp2/3 Complex to Promote KrasG12D-Induced Acinar-to-Ductal Metaplasia and Early Pancreatic Carcinogenesis. Gastroenterology. 2021;160(5):1755-1770.e17. IF 33.883
2. Zhang Z, Li H, Deng Y, et.al, Kong B. AGR2-Dependent Nuclear Import of RNA Polymerase II Constitutes a Specific Target of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma in the Context of Wild-Type p53. Gastroenterology. 2021;161(5):1601-1614.e23. IF 33.883
3. Kong B, Bruns P, Behler NA, et.al, Michalski CW. Dynamic landscape of pancreatic carcinogenesis reveals early molecular networks of malignancy. Gut. 2018;67(1):146-156. IF 31.795