Dr. med. My-Lan Pianka
Background
After graduating from Kiel university in 2019, I pursued a research fellowship at RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences in Japan, where I worked under the mentorship of Prof. Kenya Honda in the Laboratory for Gut Homeostasis. My experience there, particularly in exploring the human microbiome, deeply inspired me and fueled my passion to continue investigating the microbiome.
Research interests
My research interest lies in exploring the link between the human microbiome and carcinogenesis. Numerous studies have demonstrated associations between certain bacterial members of the microbiome and the onset and progression of various cancer types. I am interested in identifying bacteria that contribute to cancer initiation and disease progression, as well as those that may have protective effects against cancer. By unraveling the molecular mechanisms through which these bacteria impact carcinogenesis, I aim to contribute to the development of novel strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Current projects
- Impact of Fusobacterium nucleatum on inflammatory carcinogenesis in colorectal cancer
Main collaboration: Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Stein-Thoeringer (Laboratory of Translational Microbiome Research, University Hospital Tübingen)
Funding: Physician-Scientist Program
- The role of the microbiome in pancreatic cancer and its precursors. The MiBiPanc systematic review.
Main collaboration: Dr. med. Alexander Werba, Dr. med. Frank Pianka (Study Center of the German Surgical Society, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, UKHD)
Funding: The German federal ministry of education and research (BMBF – Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
- Exploring the carcinogenic potential of Parvimonas micra
Main collaboration: Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Stein-Thoeringer (Laboratory of Translational Microbiome Research, University Hospital Tübingen)
Lab Members
MD student: Xuelei Zhang
Publication
Kha ML, Hesse L, Deisinger F, Sipos B, Röcken C, Arlt A, Sebens S, Helm O, Schäfer H. The antioxidant transcription factor Nrf2 modulates the stress response and phenotype of malignant as well as premalignant pancreatic ductal epithelial cells by inducing expression of the ATF3 splicing variant ΔZip2. Oncogene. 2019 Feb;38(9):1461-1476. doi: 10.1038/s41388-018-0518-3. Epub 2018 Oct 9. PMID: 30302023