Research Overview
 

Tumor-Host interactions

• Role of sphingolipids for hematogenous and lymphatic tumor metastasis
• Regulation of tumor cell migration by host ceramide and sphingomyelinases
• Targeted induction of tumor cell death by manipulation of the sphingolipid metabolism
• Regulation of tumor stem cells by ceramide and the acid sphingomyelinase
• Role of mitochondrial ceramide for tumor cell death
• Function of ceramide for radiation- and chemotherapy-induced cell death

Host-pathogen interactions

• Role of sphingolipids, in particular ceramide, and sphingomyelinases for infection of mammalian cells with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacteria
• Role of CFTR for infections with P. aeruginosa
• Regulation of lysosomal maturation by sphingolipids during bacterial infections
• Function of mitochondrial ceramide for infection with P. aeruginosa

Regulation of cystic fibrosis and autoimmune disorders by ceramide and the acid sphingomyelinase

• Cystic fibrosis: Role of ceramide and the acid sphingomyelinase
• Treatment of cystic fibrosis with stem cell therapy
• Sphingolipids in Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Arthritis

Regulation and function of mitochondrial Kv1.3 channels

Role of sphingolipids in major depression