How can cancer research in Bonn be better connected, and how can scientific findings be translated into clinical applications? Around 60 researchers from Bonn University Hospital (UKB), the University of Bonn, LIMES and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) came together on 29 June for the first Cancer Network Bonn Workshop. The event brought together researchers from basic, translational and clinical oncology to exchange ideas and discuss opportunities for future collaboration.
The programme covered a broad range of topics, including AI-based protein design for cancer immunotherapy, tumour-immune interactions, cell therapy, glioblastoma, cancer organoids, computational oncology and nutrition research. A keynote by Dr. Daniela Thommen from the Netherlands Cancer Institute focused on the mechanisms underlying responses to cancer immunotherapy. Dr. Ian Hardy from Miltenyi Biotec discussed the clinical-scale development of tumour-reactive T cells for glioblastoma and opportunities for collaboration between academia and industry.
Strengthening Cancer Research in Bonn
In closing panel discussions, participants identified several areas for strengthening collaboration, including better connections between basic and clinical researchers, improved access to biobanks and closer integration of systems biology and data science. The CIO ABCD network, which connects the university hospitals in Aachen, Bonn, Cologne and Düsseldorf, was highlighted as one example of how joint structures can support multicenter clinical research.
The workshop concluded with strong interest in continuing the exchange across institutions and disciplines. A further cross-disciplinary meeting is planned.
Cancer Network Bonn is organized by Prof. Laura Surace and Prof. Aleksandra Pandyra (Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, UKB) and, with support from TRA Life and Health, University of Bonn.
Contact:
Jun. Prof. Laura Surace
Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology
ImmunoSensation3 Cluster of Excellence
University Hospital Bonn
E-mail: lsurace@uni-bonn.de
Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Pandyra
Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology
ImmunoSensation3 Cluster of Excellence
University Hospital Bonn
E-Mail: apandyr1@uni-bonn.de
