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Simon Schwoerer, PhD

The Schwörer Lab is interested in understanding how cellular metabolism regulates regenerative responses in health and disease.



We are specifically interested in:

- how metabolism controls the plasticity and functions of fibroblasts and stem cells

- how metabolic rewiring in fibroblasts contributes to fibrotic disease and tumor progression

- how alterations in nutrient availability impact cell fate and function and can lead to therapeutic vulnerabilities in the tumor microenvironment.



Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are part of the tumor microenvironment and can support tumor progression via various mechanisms. The Schwörer Lab is interested in the metabolic control of CAF function in desmoplastic tumors such as pancreatic and breast cancer. Specifically, our research aims to understand how nutrient availability and utilization regulate CAF activation, heterogeneity, and function within tumors. Ultimately, we aim to identify tumor-specific metabolic vulnerabilities in CAFs that could be targeted in combination with chemo- and immunotherapy to improve patient outcomes.