Assist. Prof Elisabeth LETELLIER

Dr. Elisabeth Letellier is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences at the University of Luxembourg, co-leading the Molecular Disease Mechanisms group since 2020.

Dr. Letellier’s group investigates how metabolism and the tumor microenvironment—including stromal cells and the microbiome—drive colorectal cancer (CRC) progression and therapy resistance. Using advanced technologies such as patient-derived 3D organoids, microfluidic devices, and state-of-the-art in vivo models, her team elucidates the impact of the microbiome on CRC initiation and progression, while also deciphering the role of fibroblasts in cancer development and epithelial cell plasticity. To achieve these objectives, she has established numerous national and international collaborations aimed at uncovering the mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis and identifying novel therapeutic strategies.

In partnership with national hospitals, the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), the Integrated Biobank of Luxembourg (IBBL), and the Luxembourg National Laboratory of Health (LNS), she spearheaded the establishment of a colorectal cancer biobank comprising over 250 high-quality patient samples, enabling robust translational research. Her team has also developed patient-derived 3D organoid platforms and advanced in vivo models, which are available to the scientific community. Notably, one biomarker recently identified through this work has led to the filing of a patent. In addition, she was recently invited to contribute to several working groups dedicated to the development of a national cancer plan in Luxembourg.

Dr. Letellier has authored 56+ publications (h-index 34, 4,656 citations), secured €10M+ in mostly competitive external funding, and contributed to three patent filings (two as lead inventor). ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8242-9393.

Dr. Letellier gives courses on molecular medicine for the Master in Molecular and Computational Biomedicine at the University of Luxembourg and she organizes and leads the Practicals in Protein Structure and Biochemistry in the same Master. She is also an active lecturer in Immunology for the Master degree and in Oncology for the Medical Bachelor of the University.

Additionally, she is currently a member of more than 14 CETs (Comité d’Encadrement de Thèse) at UL and the MDM group regularly hosts students for internships and Master theses.

Besides research and teaching, Dr. Letellier regularly contributes to public engagement efforts. She is actively organizing workshops at yearly charity events such as the “Relais pour la Vie” or such as “Lëtz go Gold” on cancer for children, to raise awareness and funds for cancer prevention and treatment.

She recently organized the INSIDE COLON event, an outreach activity focused on CRC, the prevention of it, and the research they perform in the field, with the support of the FNR (FNR PSP classic grant).

Dr. Letellier also participates in public science events such as Researchers’ Days, where her research team uses engaging workshops and exciting demonstrations to educate visitors and young audiences about metabolic changes in colorectal tumour cells, the role of the microbiome, and the impact of a healthy diet on cancer progression.

Additionally, she has given many talks during national and international conferences, events of different foundations, charity clubs and student associations to inform the public about the national cancer research landscape.

She has also written several articles in public newsletters and national newspapers about scientific topics. She was recently invited by the Ministry of Health as a scientific expert during a podcast on CRC.

After completing her PhD and a postdoctoral training at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Dr. Letellier joined the University of Luxembourg in 2009 as postdoctoral researcher in the Signal Transduction group. Soon, she was given the opportunity to develop her own research line, namely the investigation of mechanisms underlying cancer initiation and progression in 2011. She is now co-leading the Molecular Disease and Mechanisms group since 2020 and she recently became Assistant Professor in 2023.

In 2017, she joined the Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee as a member and became the chair of this committee some years after. As a team, the committee was able to significantly improve ethics and welfare with the ultimate goal to bring the highest standards to animal experimentation at the University.

Dr. Letellier is a member of different Scientific Societies such as the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR), the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), and the Luxembourg Society for Microbiology.

Dr. Letellier also serves as the University’s representative for the National Cancer Plan and is actively involved in several national translational cancer initiatives.

Over the course of her academic career, Dr. Letellier has been recognized with awards and fellowships highlighting both her research excellence and professional growth. In 2022, she was honored with an internal promotion award at the University of Luxembourg, marking her appointment as Assistant Professor. Previously, in 2018, she secured pump prime funding from the Personalized Medicine Consortium, a distinction that supported her pursuit of innovative and translational research. Finally, her contributions to cancer research were acknowledged with the Legs Kannning Award, granted by Action LIONS Vaincre le Cancer.

Dr. Elisabeth Letellier earned a Master’s degree in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology from the University of Paris Descartes (France), followed by a degree in Pharmacy in 2004. She was then awarded a highly competitive PhD fellowship at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ, Germany), where she completed her doctoral training between 2004 and 2008. During her PhD, she joined the internationally renowned research group led by Professors Krammer and Martin-Villalba at DKFZ, where she acquired extensive expertise in the molecular mechanisms regulating cell death and inflammation.