Mainz University Medical Center | Germany

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Udo Hartwig is a distinguished physician-scientist specializing in molecular medicine, hematology, immunotherapy, and cellular therapeutics. Currently serving as Head of Production of Cellular Therapeutics and Qualified Person at the GMP Facility, III. Dept. of Medicine, University Medical Centre Mainz, he has made significant contributions to translational research bridging laboratory innovations with clinical applications. His career spans leadership as COO of Preclinical Research and directing a long-standing research group focused on immunotherapy and hematology. Dr. Hartwig’s pioneering efforts in CAR-T cell engineering, T-cell immunotherapy, and molecular oncology have led to high-impact publications and advancements in leukemia and cancer research. Dedicated to mentoring, he has guided numerous MD, PhD, and MSc students. His research is internationally recognized, reflecting excellence in both fundamental discovery and clinical translation.

Professional Profile

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Education 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Udo Hartwig’s academic journey reflects excellence in biomedical sciences and molecular medicine. He studied Biomedicine at Philipps-University Marburg and the Charing Cross Sunley Research Centre, University College London. Following his MSc in Biomedicine with distinction, he pursued doctoral training at Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire des Eucaryotes, Strasbourg, and the University Medical Center Mainz, earning his PhD (Dr. rer. physiol.) from Philipps-University Marburg. To broaden his expertise, he trained as a Postdoctoral Fellow at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, within leading immunology laboratories. Later, he advanced his academic credentials with a habilitation (Venia legendi) in Molecular Medicine at Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz. Supported by prestigious fellowships from the German Research Council, European Community, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, and DAAD, his educational path laid the foundation for his impactful career in translational medicine.

Professional Experience

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Udo Hartwig has built an extensive academic and clinical career in translational medicine. He serves as Head of Production of Cellular Therapeutics and Qualified Person at the GMP Facility, III. Dept. of Medicine, Mainz, where he oversees advanced cell therapy manufacturing. As COO of Preclinical Research, he coordinates translational projects integrating molecular oncology, immunotherapy, and clinical applications. He has led his own research group at Mainz University Medical Centre for decades, focusing on hematology, immunotherapy, and cancer biology. His earlier training includes postdoctoral research at The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, USA, and academic work in Mainz and Strasbourg. Over his career, he has supervised numerous MDs, PhDs, and MSc students, establishing himself as a mentor and thought leader in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, cellular immunotherapy, and translational oncology.

Awards 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Udo Hartwig’s academic and research trajectory has been recognized through multiple prestigious fellowships and awards that supported his scientific growth. Early in his career, he was awarded a Research Fellowship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), enabling international training. This was followed by a European Community Research Fellowship, a Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Research Fellowship, and a Post-Graduate Research Grant from the German Research Council (DFG). Collectively, these awards reflect the high esteem in which his research was held, particularly in immunology and molecular medicine. His achievements have also been recognized through active memberships in leading scientific organizations, including the German Society for Immunology, European Hematology Association, Association for Cancer Immunotherapy (CIMT), and the European Society of Gene and Cell Therapy. These honors underline his standing as a respected expert in hematology and immunotherapy.

Research Interests 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Udo Hartwig’s research interests lie at the intersection of molecular medicine, immunology, and oncology, with a strong emphasis on translational applications. His work focuses on developing innovative cellular immunotherapies, particularly CAR-T cell and TCR-engineered T cell therapies for leukemia and solid tumors. He has contributed to advancing NK cell biology, memory-like NK cell induction, and strategies targeting immune evasion in cancer. Another focus is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, where he has explored mechanisms of graft-versus-leukemia effects and antigen recognition. His recent projects involve genome-editing approaches, including CRISPR/Cas9-modified cellular therapeutics, and the identification of synergistic drug combinations for acute myeloid leukemia. He is also interested in tumor genetics, nanomedicine-based immunotherapies, and T cell receptor mimic CARs. Overall, his research bridges fundamental immunology with innovative treatments, aiming to improve clinical outcomes in cancer patients.

Publication Top Notes

Title: CRISPR/Cas9 TCR-Edited NKp30 CAR T Cells Exhibit Superior Anti-Tumor Immunity to B7H6-Expressing Leukemia and Melanoma
year: 2025

Title: Targeting mutated KRAS by HLA-A*02:01 restricted anti-KRAS TCRmimic CAR and bispecific T cell engager
year: 2025

Title: Transcriptional response to standard AML drugs identifies synergistic combinations
year: 2023

Title: A PCR protocol to establish standards for routine mycoplasma testing that by design detects over ninety percent of all known mycoplasma species
year: 2023

Title: Definitive evidence for Club cells as progenitors for mutant Kras/Trp53-deficient lung cancer
year: 2021

Title: Tumor-priming converts NK cells to memory-like NK cells
year: 2017

Title: HLA-DPB1 mismatch alleles represent powerful leukemia rejection antigens in CD4 T-cell immunotherapy after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation
year: 2017

Title: Patient-individualized CD8⁺ cytolytic T-cell therapy effectively combats minimal residual leukemia in immunodeficient mice
year: 2016

Title: Exclusive Transduction of Human CD4+ T Cells upon Systemic Delivery of CD4-Targeted Lentiviral Vectors
year: 2015

Conclusion 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Udo Hartwig is an accomplished leader in hematology, molecular medicine, and cellular immunotherapy, recognized internationally for his contributions to cancer research. His educational foundation, spanning top European institutions and international postdoctoral training, combined with his leadership in Mainz, has positioned him at the forefront of translational medicine. Through groundbreaking studies in CAR-T therapy, NK cell biology, tumor genetics, and stem cell transplantation, he has significantly advanced both the scientific understanding and therapeutic potential of immunotherapies. His mentorship of young researchers reflects his commitment to building the next generation of medical scientists. With extensive publications, international collaborations, and membership in global professional societies, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Udo Hartwig exemplifies excellence in research, innovation, and education. His career demonstrates a lifelong dedication to bridging basic science and clinical impact in oncology.