Research Area 3. “Carbohydrates and their interactions influencing mammalian cells”
This area is dominated by projects on glycosaminoglycans such as heparan sulfate (Götte, Grobe) or dermatan sulfate (Seidler) involved in development and disease, particular cancer and inflammation, as mediated by interaction with different proteins, such as matrix metalloproteases. Suresh investigates possible interactions between glycosaminoglycans and the cytoskeleton in cancer cells. In future, these interactions will be increasingly studied using bioinformatic tools (Lalitha) and physico-chemical techniques such as ITC and SAW (Müthing, Swamy). The wound healing activities of chitosan may be attributed to interactions with GAGs or to GAG mimicking, so that these projects of the Moerschbacher group greatly profit from the expertise of the biomedical groups. Similarly, Goycoolea’s projects targeting nanoparticels for drug delivery, possibly carrying lysosomal enzymes as studied by Siva Kumar, are dependent on the biomedical expertise in MCGS. Hensel and Giri are constantly searching for novel bioactive glycans from plants and lichens, with a focus on antiadhesive compounds, forging a strong link with Research Area 1.
Projects involved in Research area 3.
| Prof. Dr. Hensel (Germany) |
Non-cellulosic glucans as inductors for differentiation of human keratinocytes: analytical characterisation and molecular interaction with cell surface structures more... |
| PD Dr. Grobe (Germany) |
Molecular characterization of the Heparan Sulfate (HS) motif required for the specific binding and modulation of biological function of the morphogen Sonic hedgehog (Shh) more... |
| PD Dr. Seidler (Germany) |
Characterization of binding affinity and stoichiometry for growth factor and cytokines with chondroitin/dermatan sulfates more... |
| PD Dr. Götte (Germany) |
Role of heparan sulphate in breast cancer pathogenesis more... |
| Prof. Dr. Müthing | Protein-carbohydrate interactions of pathogen-derived virulence factors and host target cells: unravelling the initial mechanisms of infectious diseases more... |
| Related projects | |
| Prof. Dr. Goycoolea (Germany) |
To understand how “soft” nanobiomaterials harnessed from biocompatible polymers interact with complex biological systems lies among the major current challenges in nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology. more... |
| Prof. Dr. Niyaz (India) |
Our group is currently working on functional characterization of some of the novel H. pylori proteins that are putatively linked to antigenicity [Ahzm2] and survival mechanisms at the base of chronic gastritis – a precancerous sequel of H. pylori infection [Ahm1,7]. more... |
| Dr. Suresh (India) |
Research projects. more... |
