"This one drink!?" The invisible developmental consequences of intrauterine alcohol exposure: A longitudinal multi-level study in childhood and adolescence based on a meconium ethanol metabolite

The child's first environment that has a lifelong influence on development is the intrauterine environment. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is one of the best documented prenatal risk factors for child development. We use a biomarker to investigate the underlying mechanisms and alcohol-induced developmental consequences: Ethylglucuronide is an ethanol metabolite and can be detected in the first stool (meconium) of the newborn. In the FRANCES sample, there are n = 248 children whose mothers participated in the FRAMES study during pregnancy.

Mechanisms of cell type-specific transcriptional control by mineralocorticoid receptors in chronic heart failure

Chronic heart failure is a frequent disease that is associated with high mortality and limits the quality of patients’ life. Medication blocking the mineralocorticoid receptor are essential part of heart failure therapy but in many patients side effects prevent their use. In the present project we aim to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the beneficial effect of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists in cardiac cells and identify potential targets for cardio-selective pharmacological therapy.

Memorial-Stipendien 2020

Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten ist auch an Universitätseinrichtungen für Ärzte* mit besonderen Herausforderungen und Problemen verbunden. Eines liegt darin, dass die Anforderungen der klinischen Arbeit zu Beginn der beruflichen Karriere keine zusammenhängende Forschungszeit für die Konzentration auf ein wissenschaftliches Forschungsvorhaben erlauben.

Role of Mir21 in endothelial regeneration during atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of arteries and number one killer word wild. Endothelial cell (EC) regeneration plays a so far underappreciated role in the prevention of atherosclerosis. Although the mechanisms regulating the regenerative capacity of arterial ECs are currently unclear, the results of our project suggest that miR-21 inhibits EC apoptosis during atherosclerosis by targeting XIAP Associated Factor 1 (Xaf1).

The role of urethral brush cells in neurogenic in neurogenic inflammation

Urinary tract infections are among the most common bacterial infections worldwide. We found a new cell in the urethra. These urethral brush cells (UBC) use the same mechanisms as taste cells of the tongue to protect the body from infection. They therefore act as sentinals at the entrance of the genitourinary tract. They detect harmful substances (such as bitter substances or bacteria) and induce bladder emptying as a protective measure to flush out the invaders.

Potentially, they may also induce neurogenic inflammation and attract immuncompetent cells.

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