Anna Taubenberger

Dr. Anna Taubenberger is a Research Group Leader at the Mildred-Scheel Nachwuchszentrum Dresden, affiliated with BIOTEC at Technische Universität Dresden. She leads the Oncomechanics research group focused on understanding the biomechanical properties of cancer cells and their microenvironment.

Dr. Taubenberger received her PhD in Engineering from TU Dresden (2004-2009), studied at the University of Talca, Chile (2001-2002), and completed her Bioprocess Engineering degree at TU Dresden (1999-2004). She was a Postdoctoral Fellow at BIOTEC Dresden (2013-2020) in the Group of Cellular Machines under Prof. Jochen Guck, and previously at Queensland University of Technology (2009-2012) in the Group of Regenerative Medicine under Prof. Dietmar Hutmacher.

Her research focuses on how mechanical properties of cancer cells and their surrounding tissue affect metastatic potential. The Taubenberger group employs a combination of atomic force microscopy and real time deformability cytometry to characterize cell mechanical properties. They develop physiologically relevant 3D in vitro models to study how cell and microenvironment stiffness influence tumor spheroid growth, invasion, drug resistance, and metastasis. Key research aims include investigating the link between microenvironment mechanics and spheroid behavior, testing the functional role of cell mechanics in cancer progression, and identifying clinical markers for individualized breast cancer therapy.

Analysis of Dr. Taubenberger's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on the biomechanical aspects of cancer progression. Her work bridges engineering approaches with biological questions, particularly examining how physical properties of the tumor microenvironment influence cancer cell behavior. The research spans from single-cell mechanics to tissue-level organization, with a special emphasis on breast cancer models and the connection between mechanical stress and cellular responses.

• DFG postdoctorial fellowship
• Early career fellowship, QUT Australia

Dr. Taubenberger's research is funded by various European and German institutions through the Mildred-Scheel Nachwuchszentrum Dresden. She actively recruits Master's and PhD students for her research group, indicating her commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists. Her work combines expertise in bioengineering, cancer biology, and biophysics to address fundamental questions about cancer mechanics.

The Oncomechanics lab utilizes advanced techniques including atomic force microscopy and real time deformability cytometry to characterize mechanical properties across scales, from single cells to complex tissues. The group collaborates with various institutions to develop innovative models for studying cancer progression and potential therapeutic approaches.