Research statement
The aim of my research project is to identify drugs capable of targeting tumor development and progression in patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) using an in silico approach. The top drug candidates will then further be validated in cell-based in vitro experiments, as well as in in vivo tumor models.
Personal interests
I am a mountain enthusiast and enjoy spending my free time outdoors hiking, biking or skiing. I also like photography and traveling.
Curriculum Vitae Sonja Dorfer
Professional career
Since 2021
Postdoc at the EB House Austria
2014-2016
Biomedical Scientist at the Medical University of Vienna
Education
2016-2021
PhD studies at the Medical University of Vienna
Subject of PhD thesis: “The role of papillomavirus infection in skin carcinogenesis”
Supervisor: Alessandra Handisurya
2013-2014
Master studies: Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at the IMC FH Krems.
Subject of master thesis: “Modification of bone resorption in vivo – Implications for the bone microenvironment”
Supervisor: Ingunn Holen
2009-2012
Bachelor studies: Biomedical Science at the FH Campus Vienna
Awards and Fellowships
2014 merit scholarship for Master studies Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Additional qualifications
2017 Experimental Biomedical Studies in Animals (Cat. B FELASA), Medical University of Vienna
Original Articles
- Dorfer S, Ablinger M, Wimmer M, Hummel JI, Ibrahimpašić S, Diem A, Laimer M, Gruner S, Hofbauer JP, Guttmann-Gruber C, Koller U, Gratz IK, Bauer JW, Zauner R, Wally V. Repurposing diacerein for the treatment of chronic wounds in recessive-dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa patients by modulating matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression. The Journal of Dermatology 2025;52:423-31.
- Illmer J, Zauner R, Piñón Hofbauer J, Wimmer M, Gruner S, Ablinger M, Bischof J, Dorfer S, Hainzl S, Tober V, Bergson S, Sarig O, Samuelov L, Guttmann-Gruber C, Shalom-Feuerstein R, Sprecher E, Koller U, Laimer M, Bauer JW, Wally V. miR-200b-mediated reversion of a spectrum of epithelial to mesenchymal transition states in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa squamous cell carcinomas. The British journal of dermatology 2023.
- Zauner R, Wimmer M, Atzmueller S, Proell J, Niklas N, Ablinger M, Reisenberger M, Lettner T, Illmer J, Dorfer S, Koller U, Guttmann-Gruber C, Hofbauer JP, Bauer JW, Wally V. Biomarker Discovery in Rare Malignancies: Development of a miRNA Signature for RDEB-cSCC. 2023;15:3286.
- Zauner R, Wimmer M, Dorfer S, Ablinger M, Koller U, Piñón Hofbauer J, Guttmann-Gruber C, Bauer JW, Wally V. Transcriptome-Guided Drug Repurposing for Aggressive SCCs. International journal of molecular sciences 2022;23:1007
- Riebenbauer K, Weber PB, Walochnik J, Karlhofer F, Winkler S, Dorfer S, Auer H, Valencak J, Laimer M, Handisurya A. Human dirofilariosis in Austria: the past, the present, the future. Parasit Vectors. 2021 Apr 29;14(1):227.
- Dorfer S, Strasser K, Schröckenfuchs G, Bonelli M, Bauer W, Kittler H, Cataisson C, Fischer MB, Lichtenberger BM, Handisurya A. Mus musculus papillomavirus 1 is a key driver of skin cancer development upon immunosuppression. Am J Transplant. 2021 Feb;21(2):525-539.
- Dorfer S, Strasser K, Reipert S, Fischer MB, Shafti-Keramat S, Bonelli M, Schröckenfuchs G, Bauer W, Kancz S, Müller L, Handisurya A. Deficiency of Cathelicidin-related Antimicrobial Peptide Promotes Skin Papillomatosis in Mus musculus Papillomavirus 1-infected Mice. Acta Derm Venereol. 2021 Jan 5;101(1):adv00367.
- Dorfer S, Kancz S, Birner P, Strasser K, Kirnbauer R, Petzelbauer P, Radakovic S, Harpain L, Pehamberger H, Thalhammer F, Handisurya A. High-risk Mucosal Human Papillomavirus Infection in Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Bowen's Disease of the Hand. Acta Derm Venereol. 2019 Apr 1;99(4):462-463.
- Dovjak P, Dorfer S, Föger-Samwald U, Kudlacek S, Marculescu R, Pietschmann P. Serum levels of sclerostin and dickkopf-1: effects of age, gender and fracture status. Gerontology. 2014;60(6):493-501.
Reviews
- Dorfer S, Handisurya A. Model systems for papillomavirus-associated skin disease. Drug Discovery Today: Disease Models. 2020;32:7-16.
