Mylene de Koning
Research
My research explores how T cells - key players in the immune system - differentiate into specialized subsets with either effector or helper functions. In cancer, this differentiation process is often disrupted, particularly when CD4 T cells fail to provide the necessary support to mount an effective immune response. The ability of CD4 T cells to provide “help” is therefore a critical factor in shaping anti-tumor immunity.
I investigate how metabolic reprogramming dynamically influences CD4 T cell differentiation, with a specific focus on the interplay between metabolism and the regulation of RNA translation in tumor-infiltrating CD4 T cells. To explore this, I integrate transcriptomic data analysis with molecular biology techniques and ex vivo culture of human T cells. The objective is to identify key metabolic and translational signatures that define T cell subset specification. By unraveling these regulatory networks, my work aims to uncover novel targets for boosting immune responses and enhancing the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies.
Curriculum vitae
In 2022, I obtained my Bachelor’s degree cum laude in Life Science and Technology at the TU Delft and Leiden University. My interests in Molecular Biology, Immunology and Research made me pursue a Master Life Science and Technology (Research and Development) focused on Immunology in Leiden. During this education program, I performed a 10-month internship as part of the Small Non-Coding RNA and Leukemia (NRL) group under the supervision of Prof. Peter Katsikis (Dep. of Immunology, Erasmus MC). Here, I worked on the implementation of bispecific antibodies and NK cells for the targeted elimination of leukemic stem cells in the context of Acute Myeloid Leukemia and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. After I graduated cum laude in July 2024, I joined the group of Dr. Fiamma Salerno as a PhD candidate in February 2025.
