Dr. Conrad Rauber

Dr. Dr. med. Conrad Rauber is a clinician-scientist and senior consultant in the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases, and Toxicology at University Hospital Heidelberg. Since early 2024, he has also served as group leader for the “Applied Microbiome Therapy in Gastroenterology” research program, where he and his team investigate how gut microbiota influence systemic immunity and outcomes in hepatobiliary tumors (e.g., hepatocellular carcinoma) and liver transplantation.

Dr. Rauber completed his medical studies at the University of Heidelberg (2006–2013) and earned his doctorate (Dr. med.) in 2015 at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg. His doctoral dissertation focused on Toll-like receptor 7/8 agonists as adjuvants to radiotherapy in gastrointestinal cancers. He then pursued specialist training in internal medicine and gastroenterology at the University Hospital Heidelberg from 2013 to 2023, achieving board certification in both fields in 2023.

Scientifically, Dr. Rauber explores the immune-modulatory roles of the gut microbiome in cancer therapy. His high-impact publications include a 2023 Science paper describing how microbiota-modulated intestinal checkpoints, such as the MAdCAM-1–α4β7 axis, direct regulatory T cells into tumors, influencing immunotherapy efficacy. He also leads investigator-initiated translational trials in hepatocellular carcinoma, applying integrin-targeting antibodies to restore immune cell trafficking disrupted by microbiota alterations.

In addition to his clinical duties—overseeing the liver transplant aftercare clinic and programs for viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, autoimmune liver disease, and metabolic liver conditions—Dr. Rauber holds translational projects analyzing microbiome interventions in cancer patients. His work bridges bench and bedside, integrating microbial ecology, immunology, and oncology to improve biomarkers and therapies in gastrointestinal cancers.

With over 30 research articles and more than 5,000 citations, Dr. Rauber has established himself as a key figure in microbiome-oncology research. His leadership at Heidelberg University Hospital combines advanced clinical care with innovative microbial-based therapeutic strategies.