Karol Nowicki-Osuch

Dr. Karol Nowicki-Osuch is a Group Leader at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), leading a research group focused on tumorigenesis and molecular cancer prevention. His work emphasizes understanding early stages of gastrointestinal tumor development using multimodal techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing, organoid models, and spatial transcriptomics. Key research areas include the molecular mechanisms underlying Barrett's esophagus, gastric intestinal metaplasia, and the transition to adenocarcinoma. Collaborations span institutions in Germany, Poland, the UK, and the US.

His team investigates how normal epithelial cells lose molecular identity and progress to precancerous states. Notable achievements include demonstrating that esophageal adenocarcinoma originates from gastric tissue and identifying novel mutational signatures using the mutREAD method. Current projects aim to develop early cancer detection strategies and in vivo models of tumor progression.

Dr. Nowicki-Osuch supervises PhD students and employs cutting-edge technologies such as spatial transcriptomics and organoid platforms. His lab integrates computational biology with experimental approaches to address gaps in understanding clonal evolution and somatic mutations in gastroesophageal cancers.