© UDE/Bettina Engel-Albustin

New at UDE/UK Essen: Prof. Dr. Basant Kumar Thakur

What cell signals reveal about cancer

  • von Dr. Alexandra Nießen
  • 20.08.2026

Tiny particles in blood, urine and other bodily fluids can provide clues about cancer and other diseases. At University Hospital Essen, Prof. Dr. Basant Kumar Thakur is researching how these cellular signals can be used for early diagnosis that is as minimally invasive as possible. The 47-year-old has a particular interest in the liver and its role in various diseases.

[Dr. Alexandra Niessen:] How would you summarise your research in a few sentences?

[Prof. Dr. Basant Kumar Thakur:] I am conducting research into cancer and its treatment. My current work focuses on extracellular vesicles. These are tiny particles released by almost all cells that act as messengers and transport proteins, RNA, DNA and lipids. They reflect the molecular state of their parent cells and thus provide disease-specific information.

I use vesicles for early, minimally invasive diagnosis via liquid biopsies – that is, samples taken from blood, urine or other bodily fluids. At the same time, we are using this technology to gain a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of disease. We aim to strengthen the foundations of personalized medicine, with diagnoses and treatments tailored to individual patients.

Are there any issues that are particularly close to your heart?

I have been fascinated by the liver for over 20 years. Its extraordinary ability to regenerate, its central role in metabolism and its close link to immune processes make it particularly interesting. I plan to focus my work on the interface between basic research and clinical application. My ambitious aim is to develop further innovative therapeutic approaches based on extracellular vesicles for a range of conditions and to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the underlying disease mechanisms: particularly in hepatocellular carcinoma – the most common type of liver cancer – and acute liver failure and perhaps also in inflammatory bowel diseases, particularly in the context of the gut-liver axis.

Why did you choose the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE)?

With its interdisciplinary research structures, the UDE offers ideal conditions. I particularly value active involvement in both existing and emerging initiatives, such as the UDE’s ‘Active Sites’. Strong regional collaborations with outstanding partners, such as the Fraunhofer Institutes, the Max Planck Institute in Dortmund, the Leibniz Institute for Work Research at TU Dortmund and ISAS Dortmund, also enable consistent innovation, from basic research through to clinical application. I would also like to highlight the One Health Ruhr initiative run by the Ruhr University Alliance (UA Ruhr). This unique platform brings together human medicine, life sciences, environmental sciences and data sciences, thereby promoting holistic approaches to complex diseases.

Which research finding are you particularly proud of?

A significant milestone was our discovery of DNA in extracellular vesicles (EV-DNA) in 2014 and its potential as a novel biomarker for cancer diagnostics. This work expanded the possibilities of liquid biopsy for early minimally invasive disease detection. For this work, I was awarded the prestigious Hermann Seippel Prize by the Essen University Medical Center Foundation in 2016. We have also recently demonstrated that EV-DNA from cancer cells is present in a chromatinised form and can functionally influence recipient cells. This discovery opens up new perspectives on the role of extracellular vesicles in cell-to-cell communication and cancer progression.

What should your students know about you?

Curiosity, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary work are important to me. I actively support my students in developing their own ideas and becoming academically independent. I also value an open working environment where teamwork plays a central role. I find inspiration in the idea: ‘Don’t be a follower, be a trailblazer.’ I encourage young researchers to pursue unconventional approaches. After all, real progress only comes about when one dares to break new ground.

 

Short Biograhy: Prof. Dr. Basant Kumar Thakur

  • 2007: Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Medical School Hannover
  • 2004: Master of Science in Biotechnology at Madurai Kamaraj University (India)
  • 2001: Bachelor of Science in Botany, Zoology and Chemistry at Ranchi University (India)

 

Further information
Prof. Dr. Basant Kumar Thakur, University Hospital Essen, Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplantation Medicine, phone. +49 (0)201/723-4527, Basant-Kumar.Thakur@uk-essen.de

Editor: Dr. Alexandra Niessen, phone. +49 (0)203/37-91487, alexandra.niessen@uni-due.de

Zurück