The University of Mainz (UM) has more than 20 years of expertise in glioma research, particularly in cell biology and neuro-immuno-oncology. UM also brings to GlioLighT their own 3D co-culture model, which represents a very valuable approach to study biological processes in an environment that mimics that of the genuine brain/tumour, but which is much more versatile and ethically responsible than animal testing.
Meet our Researchers
Dr. Régnier-Vigouroux is a trained immunologist and cell biologist with more than 20 years of experience in cancer research, specifically on glioblastoma. She leads an experimental research group that studies the potential of tumour-associated microglia/macrophages as targets for anti-glioblastoma therapies. This potential lies in the functional flexibility of these cells that is reflected in the swift transitions occurring in their inflammatory and metabolic status. Objectives are to characterise the mechanisms that regulate these transitions. For that purpose, human primary and established cell lines, as well as patient-derived material are analysed, using in vitro 2-dimensional, and 3-dimensional culture models mimicking the tumor microenvironment, as well as a computational approach.
Her research has been supported by German and French grants and is currently supported by German and European funds. She has hosted post-docs and PhD students and supervised Bachelor and Master students as well as technical apprentices.
Her research has been supported by German and French grants and is currently supported by German and European funds. She has hosted post-docs and PhD students and supervised Bachelor and Master students as well as technical apprentices.
Dr. Geiß is working in the group of Dr. Anne Régnier-Vigouroux as a post-doctoral fellow. Already since his studies he is working in the field of cancer therapy and is primarily interested in the regulation of macrophage immune profiles and their interaction with glioblastoma cells. He has strong expertise in working with primary cells as well as 2D and 3D cell culture models and is using and improving these models to investigate the interplay between tumour and immune cells and validate possible therapeutic applications.
Sophie Gieß is a PhD student in the group of Dr. Anne Régnier-Vigouroux. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Biosciences, followed by a Master’s in Molecular Medicine at the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg.
Her research is focused on understanding the underlying molecular processes driving diseases, with a particular emphasis on cancer. By utilizing 2D and 3D cell culture models, Sophie explores the intracellular mechanisms of action triggered by therapeutic interventions, as well as the interactions between tumor and immune cells, aiming to unravel the molecular mechanisms that regulate this interplay.
Her research is focused on understanding the underlying molecular processes driving diseases, with a particular emphasis on cancer. By utilizing 2D and 3D cell culture models, Sophie explores the intracellular mechanisms of action triggered by therapeutic interventions, as well as the interactions between tumor and immune cells, aiming to unravel the molecular mechanisms that regulate this interplay.
