Dr Frank Westermann
Meet Frank, a co-investigator on PROTECT
Frank is the Department Head Neuroblastoma Genomics and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). The overall aim of their work is to integrate next-generation molecular diagnostics for a more precise patient risk stratification and to develop molecularly targeted therapies (incl. immunotherapies) based on a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying neuroblastoma tumorigenesis.
They are combining basic research on the embryonal/fetal development of the human adrenal gland and the sympathetic nervous system ganglia with translational research on neuroblastoma tumors and neuroblastoma models (cell cultures, organoids and in vivo mouse models) to elucidate the putative cell-of-origin, neuroblastoma onset, evolution and resistance formation under therapy of this disease.