Kettenmann Lab

charlotte.flueh@mdc-berlin.de

With clinical expertise as a board certified neurosurgeon, Dr. Flüh focuses on the role of tumor associated microglia and macrophages in human glioma.

Glioblastoma are highly malignant brain tumors with a devastating prognosis. Up to 30-40% of the tumor mass consists of glioma associated microglia (GAMs) and macrophages (GAMPs), which might have a high impact on progression and prognosis. The research of Dr. Flüh focuses on the specific role of microglia, which originate from the brain itself, and macrophages, which usually migrate to the tumor from peripheral compartments, on tumor growth and maintenance. Both cell types are influenced by the tumor microenvironment and vice versa. Differentiation between GAMs and GAMPs, decoding their particular role in gliomas and examining the influence of the tumor microenvironment are the main aims of her projects. The impact on tumor progression and the therapeutic relevance of Gams and GAMPs are also of central interest. Methologically, she works with tumor material and different in-vitro and in-vivo glioma models. She uses immunohisto- and –cytochemical methods, microscopy, FACS, cell culture, and functional tools to analyze the properties of microglia and macrophages.

As a board-certified neurosurgeon, she works as an attending at the University hospital of Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Kiel and combines clinical knowledge with basic science. Past research projects focused on the role of the NKG2D system, tumor dormancy and stemness in glioblastoma and cerebral metastases.