Research Topics
Clinical proteomics and lipidomics in gastrointestinal tumors and cardiovascular disease
The ultra-modern tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and innovative ClinProt/MALDI-TOF technology of the ILM allow for a highly sensitive analysis of biologically active lipids and new low-molecular-weight peptides/proteines. Thereby we aim for the identification and application of sensitive biomarkers for cardiovascular deseases (atherosclerosis, cardiac insufficiency) and tumour deseases (pancreatic ca, colon ca).
Lipidomics: With the aid of our APPI-LC-MS/MS platform (API 3000) it is possible to investigate phytosterols, cholesterol synthesis-assoziated molecules and oxidized sterols in epidemiological trials and their relation to cardiovascluar deseases (i. e. "KORA-MONICA", GSF-Neuherberg). MS analysis of steroid hormons (patient care) and phospholipids (atherosclerosis research) is currently beeing established.
Clinical proteomics: After fractionizing the serum proteom using magnetic nano particles, the specific proteom pattern (1T-10T D) is MALDI-TOF analysed. A characteristic mass sepctrum is phenotype-associated and allows for new diagnostic and preventive applications in atherosclerosis and tumour research. The complex bioinformatics are done in cooperation with the DFG centre for Mathematics (Schutte, FU Berlin), Bruker-Daltonics, Leipzig and Microsoft Research, Cambridge. Therapeutic drug monitoring (immunosuppressives) and severe metabolic deseases in newborns are further examples of clinical applications of mass spectrometry.
Genetics and pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, inflammation and lipid disorders
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in our society. Research in our laboratory is focused on a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of vascular and metabolic disease which may allow an early diagnosis and effective prevention. Our main interest is the study of genetic factors predisposing to atherosclerosis and disorders of lipid metabolism. Our institute provides a fully equipped laboratory for biochemical and cell biological studies as well as genetic research in human populations, transgenics and knockout models.
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Endocrine factors of growth, body weight disorders and vascular diseases
Endocrine regulations are associated with changes in body weight and resulting metabolic disorders. We investigate diagnostic relevances of fatty tissue hormons and others influencing homeostasis and their effects on diabetes mellitus, hypertension, atherosclerosis, lipid disoirder and others. For this reason, we work with analytical tests, cell experiments, proteinochemical tests and animal experiments. Along with clinical institutions we also evaluate clinical trials in humans.
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We investigate immunological incompatibilities with alimentary proteins exemplarily on gluten sensitive enteropathy. Focus of interest are epitope specifity of antibodies found in patients with coeliac desease. We are interested in epitopes on autoantigenes (tissue transglutaminase) as well as cereal proteins (gliadins, gluten). Our investigations are relevant for an enhancement in diagnosis and new insights into pathogenetic mechanisms of the desease. Furthermore, we work on enhancing methods for gluten analysis in so called "gluten free" food using modern immunological methods. In recent works, we investigate the role of autoantibodies against tissue transglutaminase found in liquor cerebrospinalis on the developement of several disorders.
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