Research Focus
Research at the HTX Research Lab focuses on the fundamental mechanisms of transplant immunology and on innovative strategies for organ preservation. We combine experimental discovery with translational application to modulate immune responses after transplantation and to secure long‑term graft function:
- Experimental Transplant Immunology and Tolerance Induction
A central goal of our work is to understand and induce immune tolerance. We study how regulatory T cells (Tregs) and other suppressive immune populations contribute to graft acceptance and develop novel strategies for targeted alloimmune modulation.
Through preclinical models and state‑of‑the‑art molecular approaches, we explore how Tregs can be expanded, stabilized, and applied therapeutically to prevent rejection and achieve durable tolerance.
- Innovative Organ Preservation and Regeneration
In close cooperation with the clinical heart transplantation program we investigate how donor hearts can be actively repaired and reprogrammed during ex vivo perfusion. Using molecular, functional, and multi‑omics analyses, we identify biomarkers predictive of graft performance and develop targeted gene‑therapy interventions to regenerate damaged hearts.
Our aim is to redefine heart transplantation — transforming preservation from passive storage into active therapy and expanding the pool of transplantable organs.
- Tumor and Immune Cell Biology
Beyond transplantation, we study regulatory immune mechanisms in cancer. Our research focuses on the role of γδ T cells and immune regulatory networks in colorectal cancer, and on preclinical evaluation of autologous tumor vaccines in renal cell carcinoma.
These studies reveal shared pathways of immune regulation and provide translational insight that links transplantation tolerance and tumor immunology.
Methods
Our research combines molecular, cellular, and functional methodologies that bridge basic immunology and translational organ research. The integration of advanced immunological and genetic tools forms the technical foundation of our work. Core techniques include:
- Flow cytometry (up to 18 color panels for immune phenotyping and metflow)
- In-vitro and in-vivo assays for expansion, stability and functional assessment of regulatory T cells
- Murine models of heart transplantation, tumor immunity, and immune tolerance
- Ex-vivo heart perfusion (hypothermic and normothermic) for the study of organ function, ischemia reperfusion injury and therapeutic conditioning
- RNA isolation, qPCR, and gene expression analysis
- Primary human and murine immune cell culture and tumor cell lines
- ELISA, ELISPOT, and multiplex cytokine profiling
- Histology, immunohistochemistry, and microscopy
- HPLC-Based Quantification of Cellular Energy Potential in the Myocardium
- O2k Analysis of Mitochondrial Fitness in the Myocardium via High-Resolution Respirometry
These complementary approaches allow us to dissect immune and physiological mechanisms across multiple scales - from molecular pathways to whole organ function - and to translate experimental discoveries into therapeutic applications.