Decoding the Tumor Microenvironment by Single Cell Sequencing (Elective)
17. – 28. March 2025
About this course
The difference between gene expression analysis of samples in bulk and single cell sequencing is much like the difference between a smoothie and a fruit salad. Looking at a smoothie you can get a rough idea about its content (like, is it with or without spinach). With a fruit salad, however, you can identify every single component. In the case of tumor studies, single cell sequencing analysis led to the understanding that a tumor is not just a uniform entity, but consists of many different cell populations, tumor cells and immune cells. This understanding is now guiding novel therapeutic strategies for cancer patients. Integral to assessing the efficacy of novel therapies is picking the right preclinical testing models. Previously for example much of the in vivo testing occurred in immunocompromised mice and thus the effects of the immune system were unaccounted for especially in the context of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. What immune cells are important in this process and capable of affecting the course of therapy responses? How can we leverage the immune system to uncover novel effective therapies? These are the questions we will explore in this course together with the amazing Pandyra Lab.
Teaching and learning
In this course, you will learn about the intricate biology of poorly immunogenic tumors and other impediments to effective immunotherapeutic responses, understand the principles of single cell transcriptomics, and get hands-on experience in cutting-edge sequencing technologies. Key competences include performing experiments, data analysis, presentation of results, and critically discussing experimental outcomes in English.
Structure
| Programs | MSc Medical Immunosciences and Infection MSc Immunobiology |
| Type of instruction | Lecture / practical course / home assignments |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Group size | 8 |
| Workload | Mo-Fr, 9am – 1 pm |
| Preparation | Learning material will be provided before the course starts |
Contact
Lab rotations // Research Projects
WS 2024/2025
If you want to get to know our work better, apply for a lab rotation in WS 2024/25. You will shadow one of our PhD students investigating generations-spanning immune regulation using in vivo mouse models or human samples.
Teaching and learning
During lab rotation, you will learn about effects the environment has on germ cells and how this influences immunity for generations, understand the principles of single cell transcriptomics, and get hands-on experience in cutting-edge sequencing technologies. Key competences include planning and conduction of experiments, data analysis, presentation of results, and critically discussing experimental outcomes in English.
Structure
| Programs | MSc Medical Immunosciences and Infection MSc Immunobiology |
| Type of instruction | Research Project |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Workload | 450h // 15 ECTS |