mingwan0.....thanks for the info....
The neurogenetics section at the chair of animal physiology produces transgenic animal models and uses them to investigate the function of pharmacologically and medically relevant genes. The chair interacts closely with Biofrontera Pharmaceuticals GmbH, a biotech company founded by Prof. Lübbert. This allows to make full use of the synergies resulting from such a collaboration and it gives students insight into the requirements and working style of academic as well as private research institutions. The goal of the projects is to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of diseases of the nervous system.
The neurogenetics section comprises three projects:
1) The investigation of a neurotransmitter system which modulates the basic activity of the nervous system. The transmitter is called serotonin (the chemical name is 5-hydroxytryptamine) since it was discovered as a substance in the serum that causes blood vessel contraction. Serotonin has 14 different receptor types mediating variable functions of the transmitter. At the chair of animal physiology we investigate most actively the 5-HT2 receptor group which causes calcium release into the cytoplasm. Functions of this receptor group comprise the regulation of appetite and anxiety states, as well as the initiation of migraine attacks. The question investigated is how these receptors interact with other members of the signal cascade. Genetically modified mice are used to address this problem (participating research group: Dr. X. Zhu).
2) The pathophysiological mechanism of inherited forms of Parkinson’s disease. In collaboration with Biofrontera transgenic animal models for Parkinson’s diseases were established. Mutations had been described in humans which cause an early-onset form of Parkinsonism. These mutations were introduced into the genome of mice. The animals are characterised using neuroanatomical and behavioural approaches. Biofrontera investigates the animals using its patented DEPD® technology to monitor gene expression changes. These investigations should give insight into the pathological processes and their temporal progression, allowing conclusions about the cascade of events which eventually leads to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons (participating research groups: Dr. C. Stichel-Gunkel, Dr. X. Zhu).
3) The pathophysiological mechanism of inherited forms of blindness. Some cases of blindness have an inherited origin. One of the genes that can be responsible is the so-called ABCR-Gene which encodes a protein with unknown function. How a defect in this gene triggers a pathological process resulting in a degeneration of the retina is also not known. To investigate this problem, a mutation is introduced into the mouse genome which in an almost identical form occurs in human patients. The consequences of the mutation for the development, function, survival and aging of retinal cells are investigated (participating research group: Dr. M. Andriske).
