TRON Translational Oncology Mainz | Connecting Competence

Loss of immunological self-tolerance followed by attack of self-reactive T cells to target organs plays a major role in the formation of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). In a very recent study published in Science, our researchers (in collaboration with Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center and BioNTech) employed a non-inflammatory RNA vaccine that targets self-antigens to antigen presenting cells without inducing co-stimulation. This therapy was able to modulate self-reactive T cells, induce regulatory T cells and re-establish self-tolerance leading to suppression of the disease in various mouse models of MS. The results of this study may help the development of potent therapies against complex autoimmune diseases.

A noninflammatory mRNA vaccine for treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Krienke et al.
DOI: 10.1126/science.aay3638

Image created by Christina Krienke.

For further information, please refer to the original press release.

For further information, please refer to the original press release.

We build the foundation for personalized therapies! Join Eva Schmidt on her tour through TRON for the latest 3sat Makro show about the biotech industry in Germany and our participation as a translational research institute!

Learn about this topic in the show (German only).

TRON is thrilled that PhD candidate Isabell Keil has won a prize for her poster at CLINAM 12/2020 (European Foundation for Clinical Nanomedicine’s 12th Annual Meeting)! Isa’s work, featured in the conference’s Basic Nanomedicine category, is to develop nanoparticle‐based mRNA carrier systems for transient immunomodulation of immune cells. Isa’s poster, along with all poster presentations, are available via the CLINAM link below during the Congress (October 26-28). Congratulations Isa!

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Published in Cell: TRON is part of a 36-member alliance led by the Parker Institute and Cancer Research Institute identifying parameters for better vaccine design in the fight against cancer.

As part of TESLA (Tumor Neoantigen Selection Alliance), TRON performed advanced computational analysis on samples from melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer to identify characteristics that strongly indicate which cancer markers are most likely to generate an immune response. These findings could improve drug makers’ and researchers’ algorithms, prioritizing “effective” antigens and ultimately mean better individualized treatments for patients.

Find out more from the official press release here and read the Cell article here.