PI: Klaus Groschner
Focus: Structure-function relations in ion channels with focus on regulatory lipidation and lipid-gating mechanisms. High precision control of ion channel function by photopharmacology and chemo-optogenetics. Calcium signaling within plasma membrane micro/nanojunctions.
Network: The Groschner Lab is part of the “Signaling Research“ field within the Gottfried Schatz Research Center and collaborates tightly with the groups of Wolfgang Graier and Roland Malli on ion channel signaling topics as well as with Tobias Madl, Pedro Sanches-Murcia and Gerd Leitinger on aspects of Structural Biology and Cellular Ultrastructure analysis. Key national/international project partners are listed in the project descriptions below.
Recent findings indicate a high pathological relevance of lipid-regulated (TRPC) and mechanosensitive (Piezo) ion channels. We therefore hypothesized that spatio-temporal precise control of channel functions and thus certain cellular signaling patterns may control cell fate and will allow for therapeutically valuable interventions. Since there is growing evidence that TRPC molecules as lipid sensors but also piezo channels as mechanosensors are involved in inflammatory processes of the skin and also in the progression of tumor diseases, we want to develop concepts that enable to influence the function of these molecules in keratinocytes but also in immune cells (mast cells, macrophages, NK cells) in order to achieve therapeutic effects. In addition, chemo-optogenetic methods, especially the genetic manipulation of cells in specific target tissues, will be established to enable highly effective, light-mediated intervention.
Funding application pending at FWF – PI Sanja Curcic
