Natural killer cells (NK cells) are key effector cells of the innate immune systems. Due to their rapid cytotoxicity and efficient tumor cell clearing they have been a central player in tumor immunology research in the past years. However, cancer cells have developed a plethora of mechanisms to suppress NK cell functionality both locally and systemically.

Dr. Wiedemann's group investigates the interactions of NK cells and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in gastrointestinal cancers. Especially, they want to unravel the impact of the tumor milieu on the NK cell transcriptional and epigenetic landscape in order to develop efficient NK cell based tumor therapies.

In honour of the International Women`s Day, we have invited Dr. Wiedemann to celebrate her achievements as a young PI, who has recently established her Emmy-Noether Group in Munich.