Ulla Mandel

Ulla Mandel is a Guest Researcher at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. She is affiliated with the Glycomics Program and focuses on the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of monoclonal antibodies in cancer research.

Dr. Mandel's research centers on developing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to probe the biosynthesis of mucin-type O-glycosylation and truncated cancer O-glycans. Her work has led to the development of cancer-specific mAbs, with one designated 5E5 currently in a phase 1 clinical trial (CAR-T) at UPENN/Tmunity. She has also pioneered a novel cell-based mucin display platform for exploring the immunogenicity of human cancer mucins, which is being used for vaccine development and generating new cancer-specific mAbs. One of these novel antibodies is currently under preclinical evaluation by a pharmaceutical company.

Her publication record shows consistent output in high-impact journals spanning structural biology, glycobiology, cancer research, and immunology. The research demonstrates a clear progression from fundamental glycoscience to translational applications, with increasing focus on cancer-specific therapeutic development. Her work on the 5E5 antibody represents a significant milestone in moving from basic research to clinical application.

Dr. Mandel's research has attracted substantial attention, with her publications being cited hundreds of times across multiple high-impact journals. Her work has been highlighted by numerous news outlets, shared extensively on social media platforms, and referenced in multiple patent applications, indicating significant translational potential.

She maintains active collaborations with international research groups, particularly with Professor Henrik Clausen and other members of the Glycomics Program at the University of Copenhagen. Her research has established important connections between glycobiology and cancer immunology, opening new avenues for diagnostic and therapeutic development.