Contact
Max-Bürger-Forschungszentrum (MBFZ)
Johannisallee 30
04103 Leipzig
fax: +49 341 - 97 25849
PD Dr. phil. nat. habil. Jes-Niels Boeckel
The progressive development of whole genome sequencing revealed, that less than 2 percent of the human genome encodes for proteins. In contrast, a large part of the genome is transcribed into RNA. The remaining transcripts are defined as non-protein coding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs). These non-coding RNAs have various cellular functions by regulating protein coding gene expression. Non-coding RNAs were implicated in development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Understanding the processes mediated by non-coding RNAs underlying these diseases may help providing innovative therapy concepts.
Dr. rer. nat. Susanne Gaul
Inflammation plays a major role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis and leads to potentially life-threatening clinical manifestations such as stroke or heart attack. In response to danger signals, activation of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) may lead to chronic inflammation. It is also becoming increasingly clear that failed resolution of a chronic inflammatory response is an important driving force in the progression of atherosclerosis. We seek to understand the mechanisms how innate immune response and metabolic inflammation drive cardiovascular diseases and affect cell-cell communication. Understanding the mechanism of triggering and resolution of inflammation in the cardiovascular system will open a new chapter in the pathogenesis of immunometabolic diseases and will help to develop novel therapeutic strategies for prevention or treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Alumni:
- Dr. med. Tim Meineke
- Dr. med. Luisa Uhlmann
- Dr. med. Karen Schäffer
