High-power short-pulse lasers can generate intense but fluctuating bunches of energetic protons. We demonstrate a new level of stability for laser-driven proton sources that allowed us to successfully perform the world-wide first tumor irradiation study in mice with this novel radiation source.

Nowadays, one of the main treatments for cancer is cancer immunotherapy. This therapy boosts a patient's immune system to fight cancer. A recent study attempts to help more patients benefit from this therapy, by engineering a probiotic to boost the effect of cancer immunotherapy.

We investigated how the gut microbiota modulate anti-viral immunity in mouse models of infection. We showed that gut bacteria are vital for the presence of low level of type-I interferons, key mediators in anti-viral immunity. The gut bacteria deliver DNA in vesicles to host cells, priming anti-viral immunity.

One of the major challenges in cancer therapy is the recurrent emergence of resistance. In pancreatic cancer, we uncovered one such resistance mechanism. Inhibiting a protein which is highly expressed in a therapy-resistant subtype of pancreatic cancer could pave the way for new therapies and improve survival of patients.

Each leaf of the carnivorous Venus flytrap plant ends in a jaw-like trap which imprisons unsuspecting insect prey. The traps are electrically active and produce electrical signals that trigger the trap to close around the insect. We discovered that this electrical signal also produces a measurable magnetic field.

When a complex social, biological or ecological network collapses, we seek to steer it back towards functionality. Our recent work maps unique conditions - the recoverable phase - when this can be achieved by controlling just one component. With applications from neuronal networks to our gut-microbiome, we show how a single intervention point can reignite the entire system’s functionality.