Hendrik Messal

Healthy tissues harbor an abundance of cells with mutations in cancer-associated genes, yet most do not progress to malignancy. Our lab investigates the mechanisms that protect against tumor initiation and how they can be reinforced in individuals at elevated risk.

We develop advanced multi-dimensional microscopy technologies that reveal the molecular origins of tumor initiation in intact human tissues, from single cells to whole organs. These spatial insights are integrated with in and ex vivo model systems to dissect how tissue architecture and cell behavior drive epithelial transformation into tumor-initiating lesions.

Our goal is to translate these insights into strategies for early detection and surgery-free cancer prevention, particularly in high-risk individuals such as BRCA1/2 or TP53 mutation carriers, and to mitigate age-related cancer risk.