Physiology and Pathophysiology of Cells and Membranes
We Love Fat!
The composition of cellular membranes influences membrane properties, including lipid orientation, membrane fluidity, and protein functionalization, that impact cell function. An important lipid component is the family of sphingolipids, which are more than just structural components of a biological lipid membrane making them still as fascinating and mysterious as when they were first reported by J.L.W. Thudichum back in 1884. It is now known that this family of lipids with their sphinx-like enigmatic nature impacts lipid membrane phases, membrane liquid ordering, membrane fusogenicity, vesicular trafficking, signal transduction and functionalize transmembrane proteins, such as transporters, ion channels and receptors.
Our group is interested in sphingolipids and cellular membranes in the kidney in the following areas:
- Carcinogenesis initiated by chronic exposure to toxic metals
- Organelle dysfunction by cadmium
- Oncogenic multidrug resistance through the drug transporter ABCB1 and evasion of programmed cell death
- Tumor cell biology and intercellular communication
- Ferroptosis in renal cancer
State-of-the-art methodologies in molecular and cell biology are utilized to address our hypotheses.
With strong international ties in Canada, Israel and USA as well as collaborations in Germany, our group is both global and diverse. We also work closely with Erhard Wischmeyer’s group (Cellular Neurophysiology).
