Researcher Database
Prof. Dr. Stefan Knapp
Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie
Max-von-Laue-Str. 9
60438 Frankfurt am Main
Programs
Exploitation of Oncogenic Mechanisms (EOM)
Molecularly Targeted Therapy (MTT)
Summary
Our laboratory is interested in the structure based design of highly potent and inhibitors for protein interaction domains (for instance acetyl-lysine dependent bromodomains) as well as protein kinases. We support and contribute to several DKTK projects including the shared funding project PDAC (in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Jens Siveke, Essen) as well as therapeutic targeting of MYC (in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Eggert). Current projects are focussed on the development of dual HDAC/BET inhibitors as well as the development of PROTACs (protein targeting chimeras) and inhibitors that will lead to degradation of MYC. Expertise of the group ranges from the chemical synthesis of inhibitors, structure determination methods in particular using protein crystallography and the development of screening assays for medium throughput screening of low molecular weight inhibitors.
DKTK Junior Group Leader for Cancer Systems Biology
Single-cell approaches have not only revealed a wide variety of cell states, characterized by cells exhibiting striking differences in their transcriptional profile, but have also illuminated the mechanisms underlying state transitions in health and disease. Cellular plasticity and adaptive state changes have recently emerged as a basis for therapeutic resistance in cancer, and a better understanding of how cell state transitions are regulated is critical to develop therapeutic approaches that can overcome therapy resistance.
Our research focuses on understanding the mechanisms driving non-genetic cellular heterogeneity and therapy resistance in malignancy. Using novel single-cell sequencing approaches, we seek to develop new experimental and computational strategies to define altered cell states in both, cancer and immune cells. Our aim is to leverage a data driven strategy combined with single cell genomics and systems biology to address the challenges posed by heterogeneity in cancer, and to develop new strategies to overcome it, with the aim of translating laboratory-based findings into the clinic.