The Schwörer Lab is interested in understanding how nutrient availability and utilization regulate cell plasticity and cell type specific function.
To address this, we use fibroblasts as a model, as they are highly plastic and have a unique function (i.e., extracellular matrix production). Unlike cancer cells that are dictated by their oncogenic mutation, fibroblast state and function is fully responsive to environmental cues, such as signaling molecules, oxygen and the nutrients available to them.
The lab mainly focuses on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in pancreatic cancer, an aggressive tumor with abundant desmoplastic stroma and substantially altered nutrient availability. In addition, we also investigate the role of metabolism in fibroblast cell state decisions and function in the context of other tumor types and as well as inflammatory and fibrotic diseases of the lungs and skin.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York
Postdoctoral Fellow - Cancer Metabolism
2022
Friedrich Schiller University
Jena
PhD - Molecular Biomedicine
2017
Ulm University
Ulm
MSc - Molecular Medicine
2013
Ulm University
Ulm
BSc - Molecular Medicine
2011
Hypoxia Potentiates the Inflammatory Fibroblast Phenotype Promoted by Pancreatic Cancer Cell-Derived Cytokines.
Hypoxia Potentiates the Inflammatory Fibroblast Phenotype Promoted by Pancreatic Cancer Cell-Derived Cytokines. Cancer Res. 2023 05 15; 83(10):1596-1610.
PMID: 36912618
Fibroblast pyruvate carboxylase is required for collagen production in the tumour microenvironment.
Fibroblast pyruvate carboxylase is required for collagen production in the tumour microenvironment. Nat Metab. 2021 11; 3(11):1484-1499.
PMID: 34764457
Mitochondrial NADP(H) generation is essential for proline biosynthesis.
Mitochondrial NADP(H) generation is essential for proline biosynthesis. Science. 2021 05 28; 372(6545):968-972.
PMID: 33888598
Proline biosynthesis is a vent for TGFß-induced mitochondrial redox stress.
Proline biosynthesis is a vent for TGFß-induced mitochondrial redox stress. EMBO J. 2020 04 15; 39(8):e103334.
PMID: 32134147
Transsulfuration Activity Can Support Cell Growth upon Extracellular Cysteine Limitation.
Transsulfuration Activity Can Support Cell Growth upon Extracellular Cysteine Limitation. Cell Metab. 2019 11 05; 30(5):865-876.e5.
PMID: 31607565
Cancer Metabolism Drives a Stromal Regenerative Response.
Cancer Metabolism Drives a Stromal Regenerative Response. Cell Metab. 2019 03 05; 29(3):576-591.
PMID: 30773467
Epigenetic stress responses induce muscle stem-cell ageing by Hoxa9 developmental signals.
Epigenetic stress responses induce muscle stem-cell ageing by Hoxa9 developmental signals. Nature. 2016 12 15; 540(7633):428-432.
PMID: 27919074
Comparison of the uptake of methacrylate-based nanoparticles in static and dynamic in vitro systems as well as in vivo.
Comparison of the uptake of methacrylate-based nanoparticles in static and dynamic in vitro systems as well as in vivo. J Control Release. 2015 Oct 28; 216:158-68.
PMID: 26277064
Pancreatic Cancer Idea Development Award
Department of Defense
2024 - 2027
Founders Award
American Society for Matrix Biology
2023
Young Investigator Award
Cancer Research Foundation
2023 - 2025
Augustyn Award in Digestive Cancer
AGA Foundation
2023
K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award
National Cancer Institute
2021 - 2025
Postdoctoral Innovation Award
Gerry Metastasis and Tumor Ecosystems Center
2020 - 2022
Postdoctoral Fellowship
Human Frontier Science Foundation
2018 - 2021
Travel Award
German Academic Exchange Service
2017
Student scholarship
Ulm University
2008 - 2011