Cellular Oxygen Physiology

Hiking at high altitude, performing sports at the limits, suffering from cancer or vascular disease (stroke, infarction, thrombosis) - what each of these things has in common is an insufficient oxygen supply of the tissues of our body.

Our group explores the molecular mechanisms and therapeutical consequences of cellular sensing, signalling and adaptation to changing oxygen availability.

• We search for and characterize novel proteins regulated via proline hydroxylation by the oxygen-sensing PHD family of enzymes.

• We try to understand the differences between hypoxia-inducible transcription factors HIF-1a and HIF-2a and their corresponding target genes, including erythropoietin.

• We study the function of novel oxygen-binding globin proteins in physiological and pathophysiological conditions.

• We identify and functionally analyze target proteins of PASKIN, a novel metabolic sensory/regulatory protein with kinase activity.

To achieve these aims, we use the latest techniques of life science research, including biochemical, immunological, molecular and cell biological techniques as well as genetically modified cells and animals.