Image Haematology

The long-standing interdisciplinary network within the research fields of haematology and leukaemia between the TUD and King’s supported by the transCampus combines outstanding expertise in translational research and unique resources to conduct cutting-edge research in both fields. Both institutions already have in-depth multi-disciplinary expertise in therapies and relevant knowledge in subfields such as immunology, epigenetics, and genomics. To promote the transfer of knowledge and expand the established working network, the translational and interdisciplinary research from Dresden goes hand in hand with the fundamental research from London to yield new insights into haematological malignancies.

New treatments to fight cancer

The collaboration aims at better understanding the mechanisms and progression of diseases to discover and develop new therapies and treatments. Working towards these goals, the established network in the field of haematology has enabled researchers from both universities to work on international projects and contribute to new discoveries. Furthermore, it gave them the opportunity to publish their findings in numerous scientific papers in peer reviewed journals in the field. Moreover, they received several international and national awards for their efforts, such as the Jon J. van Rood Award by the European Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation and the Best Presentation Award, Bloodwise, both in 2018.

This research serves as the groundwork for further joint clinical studies within the CAR-T cell programme that works with the local biobanks and datasets from Dresden, where a combined patient register and access to larger data sets will make multi-disciplinary and international studies and scientific projects possible. Already, the partnership provides the possibilities for different lines of research, for example research on Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) or CAR-T cells with the possibilities to cooperate on research projects and combine the different strength from each involved institute.

Current research projects

Leukaemia: Dysregulation of Metabolic and Immune Cells

For the aggressive forms of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a fatal malignancy, therapy options are limited and prognosis poor. Therefore, the project of Manja Wobus focuses on the development of personalized treatment for patients with AML, addressing an urgent clinical aspect. The hematology team of the Department of Medicine I has a long standing collaboration...

Read more ...

Profiling of the stromal bone marrow in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)

PD Dr. Manja Wobus, TUD, Stem Cell Lab II; Prof. Eric So, King’s, Chair in Leukaemia Biology Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is the most common acute leukaemia in adults. It is a haematological malignancy arising from the occurrence of genetic mutations in clonal hematopoietic progenitors, which cause a block in differentiation and an uncontrolled growth...

Read more ...

Research on the causes of haematological diseases

Splicing and inflammatory dysregulation in myelodysplastic syndromes at the single-cell level Susann Winter, TUD, University Hospital Dresden; Shahram Kordasti, King's, Comprehensive Cancer Centre Research area: Haematology Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) represent a heterogeneous group of haematological diseases that manifest themselves through ineffective blood cell maturation in the bone marrow. Mutations in splicing factors are commonly seen...

Read more ...

Reprogramming macrophage activity of MSCs to identify new therapeutic potential

Prof. Martin Bornhäuser, TUD, Stem Cell Lab I; Antonio Galleu, King's, Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) represent an attractive treatment for patients with steroid refractory acute Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD) after allogeneic Haematopoietic Stem Cells Transplantation (HSCT). However, responses to MSCs are rather unpredictable and this is largely the consequence...

Read more ...