Affiliation: Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Cell and Tumor Biology Group

Dr Marcus Krüger is leader of the Cell and Tumor Biology Group in the Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine at the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg. Dr Krüger obtained his doctorate from the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg in 2009 for studies on bacterial tetracycline repressor TetR signal transduction. Through investigation of physical and chemical responses of cells, particularly the effects of gravity, Dr Krüger now engages in space medicine in the lab of Prof Daniela Grimm at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg. Dr Krüger’s lab investigates the biological and biochemical effects of mechanical stress on cells. The focus is on human tumor cells under microgravity conditions to find new targets for cancer therapies using tissue engineered cancer constructs. His studies have unraveled some remarkably interesting aspects of cancer cell biology that can be used in other approaches to increase efficacy and precision of future cancer therapies and thus enhance survivability and quality of life for cancer patients.