Areas of interest

• Regulation of Ca²⁺ homeostasis of pancreatic islets by ion channels (e. g. Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels, TRPM5 channels, NMDA receptors)
• Protection of islet-cells against glucolipotoxicity and cellular stress by modulators of redox balance
• Significance of mitochondrial networks and mitochondrial heterogeneity for cellular physiology
• Interplay of bile acids and the endocrine pancreas, cytosolic functions of the nuclear receptor FXR and the G-protein-coupled receptor TGR5
• Development and use of novel tool compounds for

      (a) subtype-specific modulation of ion channels,

      (b) tracking of ion channels by fluorescently labelled small molecules.

Methods

We use a broad range of electrophysiological techniques (patch-clamp, conventional and CMOS microelectrode array), fluorescence imaging (high resolution real-time imaging, confocal and TIRF microscopy), hormone assays, immunohistology and biochemical assays (ATP production, oxygen consumption rate, qPCR), that are applied to in vitro and in vivo models of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

Contraction force is investigated in an ex vivo tissue bath system. High speed video microscopy of tracheal slice preparations allows the characterization and analysis of ciliary movement and beat frequency.