atb Heidelberg

ATB – Applied Tumor Biology is a research department at Heidelberg University Hospital focused on understanding how cancer develops and interacts with the body. Bridging molecular tumor biology, immunology, pathology and computational science, ATB aims to translate basic research into improved approaches for cancer detection, treatment and prevention. Its work concentrates on two complementary areas: HPV-driven cancers and tumors linked to DNA mismatch repair deficiency and microsatellite instability (MSI), including cancers associated with Lynch syndrome. These settings allow researchers to study cancer from early molecular and precancerous changes through to invasive disease.

In HPV research, ATB investigates how viral oncogenes become active, develops biomarkers to identify HPV-transformed cells, and explores therapies that target oncogene activity. Its MSI research examines cancer development, tumor immunology and opportunities for immunotherapy and immune prevention. The department also works on diagnostic and prognostic markers, epigenetic changes, therapeutic targets, mathematical oncology, glycoscience and cancer metabolism. Through clinical translation and early-stage studies, including a p16INK4a vaccine study, ATB seeks to bring research findings closer to practical strategies for patients and prevention.