Molecular Genetics

  • Functional and Structural Genomics

Prof. Dr. Peter Lichter

We are interested in pathomechanisms of tumorigenesis and their relevance for the development of new strategies of tumor diagnosis and therapy.

Image: Mitose. Francois L, et al. Cell Reports 2022,

Our ­Re­search

One focus is the elucidation of genetic heterogeneity within tumor cell populations. The genetic pattern represents a "snapshot" of the clonal or subclonal composition of a tumor, and through appropriate longitudinal analyses we use this to track and model tumor evolution. Since this often leads to the outgrowth of individual tumor cell clones in dependence on therapeutic measures, we use this to develop hypotheses on mechanisms that can lead to therapy resistance. We are testing these in preclinical models in vitro and in vivo, including the use of patient-derived cell systems. Ultimately, these approaches serve to successfully counter therapy resistance.

Tumor heterogeneity interests us on the one hand at the level of neoplastic cells. Besides mechanisms to maintain genome stability, our particular research focuses on factors that regulate metabolic processes in the cell. On the other hand, we are interested in non-malignant cells in the tumor microenvironment, i.e. cells of the stroma and immune system. In addition, we investigate the potential pathogenic role of micro-organisms via extensive microbiome analyses in tumor or tumor-near tissue.

For potential clinical applications, we develop and validate predictive markers and gene signatures based on extensive molecular profiling of tumor cells at the level of genome, methylome, transcriptome, and other classes of molecular and cellular structures. This led to the implementation of an active workflow for Personalized Oncology based on genomic and transcriptomic data contributing to alternative or new therapy suggestions within regular Molecular Tumor Boards of the NCT Molecular Precision Oncology program (https://www.nct-heidelberg.de/en/for-physicians/tumor-entities/gynecologicalbreast-tumors/diagnostic-platforms.html).

B060 Team

B060 Team, summer 2024

Our Team

4 Employees

  • Prof. Dr. Peter Lichter

    Head of division

    Contact form: Message to Prof. Dr. Peter Lichter

    Form data is loaded ...

  • Dr. Bernhard Radlwimmer

    Group leader

    Contact form: Message to Dr. Bernhard Radlwimmer

    Form data is loaded ...

  • Dr. Martina Seiffert

    Group leader

    Contact form: Message to Dr. Martina Seiffert

    Form data is loaded ...

  • Dr. Marc Zapatka

    Group leader

    Contact form: Message to Dr. Marc Zapatka

    Form data is loaded ...

Entire Team

Selected Publications

2024 - Neuro Oncol. 2024 Feb 2;26(2):251-265
2022 - Cell Reports 41, 111524
2022 - Nat Commun. 2022 Jan 10;13(1):178
2022 - JCO Precis Oncol. 2021 Apr 22:5:PO.20.00248
2021 - Immunity 54; 2825-2841
2020 - Nature Genetics 52, 320-330
2019 - Cancer Cell 35, 692-704

Get in touch with us

Two scientists looking at a computer monitor
Prof. Dr. Peter Lichter
Contact form: Message to Prof. Dr. Peter Lichter

Form data is loaded ...

Jasmin Luisa Müller
Secretariat
Contact form: Message to Jasmin Luisa Müller

Form data is loaded ...