Dr. med. Benjamin Ruf receives the Fritz-und-Ursula-Melchers-Postdoktorandenpreis

We warmly congratulate Dr. med. Benjamin Ruf for receiving the Fritz-und-Ursula-Melchers-Postdoktorandenpreis. 

Dr. Rufs postdoctoral research focused on the role of mucosa-associated invariant (MAIT) T-cells in liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma. MAIT cells, which are abundant in the liver, show both adaptive and innate immune characteristics. Despite their significant presence, their role in antitumor immunity is not well understood. Dr. Rufs research revealed that MAIT cells are suppressed in liver tumors through interactions with tumor-associated macrophages expressing the immune-checkpoint-molecule PD-L1, suggesting their potential as targets for immune checkpoint therapy. He also demonstrated that activating MAIT cell with specific antagonists can trigger antitumor responses, offering new therapeutic possibilities for cancer treatment. 

View the full article here: https://dgfi.org/fritz-und-ursula-melchers-postdoktorandenpreis-geht-an-dr-med-benjamin-ruf/