At the DKTK partner-site Frankfurt/Mainz, the University of Frankfurt and the University Medical Center Mainz collaborate with their complementary expertise in translational cancer research. Frankfurt significantly contributes to molecularly targeted therapies. Mainz stands above all for nationally and internationally outstanding immunotherapeutic approaches, which are promoted at the UCT Mainz in close cooperation with the biotech industry and with non-university institutions. Here, TRON and the PKZI play a special role. Besides, in collaboration with the University Medical Center and the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, the UCT Mainz brings further expertise, especially in the field of DNA repair research, epigenetics, and resistance development in tumor diseases, in the molecular diagnostics in early detection of cancer, and in tumor epidemiology and outcome research.

The scientists and clinicians of the DKTK partner-site Frankfurt/Mainz aim for the discovery of new cancer mechanisms (exploitation of oncogenic mechanisms), find ways to identify the importance of these mechanisms in individual patients (molecular diagnostics) to therapeutically interfere with them (drug discovery and development, molecular therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy), and perform clinical trials to validate these novel diagnostics and therapeutics.

The focus of Mainz for the DKTK is based on contributions to the tumor immunology / therapy program. In addition, Mainz participated and participates in different projects in the DKTK Joint Funding Program.

The School of Oncology is designed for the training of scientists and clinicians in translational oncology. In addition to a cross-disciplinary training program within the partner site Frankfurt/Mainz and the DKTK in general, junior researchers will be integrated into an active scientific community. Annual retreats and summer schools, further training seminars and workshops as well as lecture series and exchange programs, which all focus on translational oncology, are available for the School of Oncology fellows to keep up a continuous insight into translational cancer research and clinical oncology.  

Interested in becoming a School of Oncology fellow?

If you are a clinician and haven't finished your residency yet, or if you are a scientist with medical background (up to 6 years after obtaining your doctorate), you can apply all year round by getting into contact with the School of Oncology coordinator in Mainz.

Since 2016, a total of 10 fellows from the UCT Mainz have participated in the DKTK School of Oncology program, contributing to and benefiting from this nationwide network for young researchers in translational cancer medicine. Currently, there are 4 fellows still active in the program.

The annual DKTK Rhein-Main Cancer Retreat, jointly organized by the UCT Frankfurt and UCT Mainz, offers a platform for scientific exchange and collaboration within the DKTK partner sites. The event provides an update on current research projects from various groups and the ongoing work of the DKTK School of Oncology fellows, who will present their research in dedicated sessions.