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 investigate the differences between the hypoxia-inducible transcription factors HIF-1 and HIF-2 and their corresponding target genes on the single-cell level.

• We analyze the cell-to-cell variability of the transcriptional hypoxia response pattern.

• We explore the  oxygen-sensing pathways in erythropoietin-producing cells of the kidney, liver and brain.

• We developed novel transgenic mouse lines to mark renal erythropoietin-producing (REP) cells.

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.