Lab Spotlight: Dr. Astero Klampatsa’s Inspiring Journey in Cancer Research

Introducing Dr. Astero Klampatsa

In this Lab Spotlight article, we are thrilled to introduce you to the remarkable Dr. Astero Klampatsa, an accomplished researcher and a true trailblazer in the field of cancer immunotherapy. Dr. Klampatsa’s journey is an inspiring testament to dedication, perseverance, and the pursuit of scientific excellence.

Our connection with Dr. Klampatsa dates back several years when she was a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Dr. Steve Albelda. During that time, she extensively utilized our Compresstome vibratome for her research. Since then, we have closely followed and supported her impressive career trajectory as she has risen to become an independent group leader at The Institute of Cancer Research.

Dr. Astero Klampatsa by a Compresstome vibratome, which is kept under the hood so that tissue sectioning may be completed under aseptic conditions.

Dr. Klampatsa’s academic journey is a testament to her commitment to advancing our understanding of cancer biology and developing innovative therapies. She holds a BSc in Biological Sciences and an MSc by Research in Biomedicine from Lancaster University. Her research journey took her to esteemed institutions like the Royal London Hospital, Queen Mary’s College, University of London, and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.Throughout her career, Dr. Klampatsa’s work has centered on mesothelioma and lung cancer, with a primary focus on immunotherapy and CAR T cell therapies. Her dedication has not gone unnoticed, with accolades such as the George Papanicolaou Young Investigator Award and grants from the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund recognizing her contributions.At The Institute of Cancer Research, Dr. Klampatsa continues her groundbreaking work, applying her expertise in immunotherapy to develop new CAR T cell therapies for mesothelioma and lung cancer. Her investigations into the immunobiology of mesothelioma aim to identify markers of response to immunotherapy, potentially revolutionizing treatment approaches for these malignancies.

One of the key tools in Dr. Klampatsa’s arsenal is the Compresstome Vibratome, which enables her to create precision-cut lung slices for her research. These slices have been instrumental in studying the immune microenvironment of mesothelioma and lung cancer, as well as in evaluating novel therapies such as CAR T cells and antibodies.

Here are a few images of tissue sections that Dr. Klampatsa has made using the Compresstome vibratome:

H&E stain of a mesothelioma tumor, sectioned at 500µm.

As a dedicated member of various scientific associations, including the International Mesothelioma Interest Group (IMIG), the European Association of Cancer Research (EACR), and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), Dr. Klampatsa actively contributes to the scientific community.

We are excited to highlight Dr. Klampatsa’s recent webinar talk, “Using the Compresstome® in Immunotherapy Research,” as part of our Precisionary webinar series. In this talk, she discusses her groundbreaking work, providing valuable insights into the role of vibratome technology in advancing cancer research.

We invite you to explore Dr. Klampatsa’s recorded webinar, which offers a deep dive into her innovative research and the pivotal role that precision-cut lung slices play in her studies.

Dr. Astero Klampatsa’s journey from a postdoc fellow to an independent leader in cancer immunotherapy is truly remarkable. Her dedication to improving cancer treatment options through cutting-edge research and innovative techniques is an inspiration to all of us in the scientific community.

Stay tuned for more Lab Spotlights as we continue to celebrate the achievements of outstanding researchers in their respective fields.