Rufer Lab members

Research associate CONTACT ME

Research interest

Our work focuses on understanding the impact of TCR affinity on T cell responsiveness through molecular and structural dissection of TCR-pMHC interactions. We aim at maximizing the function of effector CD8+ T cells by redirecting them with highly potent, tumor-specific TCRs selected and engineered for high reactivity, but low self-reactivity. Careful analysis and selection of those therapeutic TCRs is crucial and will help improve the efficacy of adoptive cell transfer immunotherapy.

Background

I am a passionate researcher and experienced mentor, specialized in T cell-based cancer immunotherapy. I studied biology at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland), where I obtained a Master’s in Developmental Biology (control of Hox genes) in 2001. In 2008, I obtained a PhD in Genetics at McGill University, working on the developmental control of the cell cycle in C. elegans. In 2009, I joined the laboratory of Dr Nathalie Rufer as a postdoctoral fellow, then becoming research associate. Since 2018, I am also a qualified part-time teacher working to spark genuine interest in the next generation of biology students and researchers.

Postdoctoral researcher CONTACT ME

Research interest

Immunotherapies can induce long-term persisting responses in a fraction of cancer patients. I am particularly interested in deepening our understanding in how cancer cells interact with and reshape immune cells to further improve these therapies.

Background

After a Master’s in Molecular Chemistry at l’Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Lille, France and a master’s in life sciences at EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne  I undertook a PhD in the laboratory of Pr Radtke at EPFL. During my thesis, I studied the role of Notch1 in the initiation and development of chronic lymphocytic leukemia using a mouse model.