IRTG
Integrated Research Training Group (IRTG) – TRR 417
Project Leaders
A Structured Program for Doctoral Excellence
The Integrated Research Training Group (IRTG) of TRR 417 offers a comprehensive and harmonized education program for all doctoral researchers within the consortium.
Our mission:
- Subject-specific structured education of future experts on colorectal cancer
- Foster strong academic and professional networks between inspiring medical & clinician scientists towards translational science
- Equip researchers for diverse careers in academia, clinical practice, and industry
We combine online formats and on-site exchange programs to promote collaboration, particularly in methods training.
Why This Matters
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major global health challenge, with high prevalence and mortality rates. Tackling it requires a new generation of experts:
- Clinical and natural scientists with deep expertise in mucosal immunology, colon tumorigenesis, and the tumor microenvironment
- Researchers trained to think independently, work collaboratively, and address problems from multiple perspectives
The IRTG prepares doctoral candidates for this task through research-driven learning combined with interdisciplinary skill development.
Core Program Components
The IRTG curriculum provides:
- A structured framework guiding thesis work
- Complementary training elements for specialized skills
- Opportunities to develop transferable skills for careers inside and outside academia
- Support for building national and international scientific networks in CRC research
Training Portfolio
Core Activities:
- TRR 417 Lecture Series
- Early Career Researcher Seminar Series
- Guest Speaker Program
- Annual IRTG Retreat with transferable skills courses
Individualized Development:
- Each doctoral researcher designs a tailored research and training plan with their Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) formalized in a jointly signed supervision agreement
- Lab exchanges based on the specific needs
Additional Opportunities:
- Access to graduate centers at each partner site:
- GRADE (Frankfurt)
- IGA (Freiburg)
- FAU Graduate Centre (Erlangen)
Quality & Language
- Program language: English
- Continuous improvement: All activities are evaluated through anonymous feedback and lecturer input, ensuring the program remains dynamic and responsive.
Project Interactions
- P01 Greten: Modulating CAF plasticity to enable immunotherapy of colorectal cancer:
- P02 Büttner/Flinner: Multi modal prediction of therapy response for rectal cancer patients:
- P03 Briquez/Fichtner-Feigl/Reuten: Metastasis predisposing extracellular matrix architecture in colorectal cancer:
- P04 Farin/Stemmler: Mapping the CAF subtype-dependent reciprocal signaling in the CRC niche:
- P05 Neufert: The role of LIFR signaling in CAFs in CRC:
- P06 Günther/Naschberger: Impact of vascular plasticity on therapy responses in CRC:
- P07 Berlin/Groß: Specific role(s) of the inflammasome in the TME of primary and metastasized sporadic CRC:
- P08 Weigert: The role of IL-38 in shaping tumor-promoting versus protective inflammation in colorectal cancer:
- P09 Koop/Neurath: Unraveling the Role of Stromal IL-36R Signaling in Colorectal Tumorigenesis:
- P10 Bengsch/Feuerstein: Targeting the intra-metastatic microbiome in colorectal cancer:
- P11 Arkan/Tatarova: Role of microbial amino acid metabolism on chemotherapy response in CRC:
- P12 Rosshart: Identification of immunomodulatory microbial metabolites as novel therapeutics for advanced CRC:
- P13 Müller/Zundler: Modulation of CRC development and progression by GPR15L-dependent effects on lymphocyte infiltration and the intestinal microbiota:
- P14 Kesselring/Minguet: The role of γδ T cells in the tumor microenvironment of colorectal cancer:
- P15 Hildner: Tumor stroma-derived signals impair cDC1-dependent checkpoint inhibition as a potential resistance mechanism of colorectal cancer immunotherapy:
- P16 Fichtner-Feigl/Imkeller: The role of primary-CRC-derived adaptive immune cells in anti-metastasis immunity:
- P17 Ziegler: STAT3-controlled cross-dressing of dendritic cells in anti-tumor immunity:
- P18 Buchholz/Farin: Identifying and overcoming CAR T cell barriers in the colorectal carcinoma microenvironment:
- P19 Wiegering: Targeting colorectal liver metastasis by overcoming MYC-induced immune evasion:
- S01 Berlin/Greten/Naschberger: Human tumor organoid biobanks for preclinical validation:
- S02 Reiss/Ritter: Spatial profiling of the tumor microenvironment in CRC:
- S03 Börries/Gupta: Research Information Infrastructure, Data Management and Bioinformatics Core:
IRTG Team
Available Jobs
Doctoral Researcher Positions in Colorectal Cancer Research
We are seeking Doctoral Candidates (m/f/d) to join the TRR 417 on all three sites, pursuing functional cancer research on different aspects of cellular communication in the tumor microenvironment of colorectal cancer.