apl. Prof. Dr. Niels Schaft

The main focus of my research in the group of RNA-based Immunotherapy is the transfer of tumor-specific receptors into T cells by RNA-transfection. Tumor-specific full-length T-cell receptors (TCRs) as well as chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are introduced into T cells by this technology. This enables these cells to lyse tumor cells. Currently we are working on: 1) the clinical application of CAR-T cells against solid tumors, mainly melanoma, 2) the optimization of CAR-T cells specific for several cancer antigens, and 3) TCR-transfer to alpha/beta and gamma/delta T cells to treat viral infections and cancer.