Research focus

  • Sensory signaling in sperm

    © Christian Schiffer

    We want to decipher the signaling molecules and pathways employed by sperm to translate changes in the physicochemical microenvironment into a behavioral response. In particular, we investigate, using a battery of cell biological, protein biochemical, and fluorometric techniques, the basic principles of sperm chemosensation. Our work concerning the action of chemical cues released into the semen and oviduct as well as of environmental chemicals on human sperm has already provided several important insights.

    Selected literature:

    Brenker, C., Goodwin, N., Weyand, I., Kashikar, N. D., Naruse, M., Krahling, M., Müller, A., Kaupp, U. B. &  Strünker, T. (2012) "The CatSper channel: a polymodal chemosensor in human sperm" EMBO J. 31, 1654-1665. doi.org/10.1038/emboj.2012.30

    Brenker, C., Schiffer, C., Wagner, I. V., Tuttelmann, F., Ropke, A., Rennhack, A., Kaupp, U. B. &  Strunker, T. (2018) "Action of steroids and plant triterpenoids on CatSper Ca(2+) channels in human sperm" Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 115, E344-E346. doi.org/10.1038/emboj.2012.30

    Schiffer, C., Muller, A., Egeberg, D. L., Alvarez, L., Brenker, C., Rehfeld, A., Frederiksen, H., Waschle, B., Kaupp, U. B., Balbach, M., Wachten, D., Skakkebaek, N. E., Almstrup, K. &  Strunker, T. (2014) "Direct action of endocrine disrupting chemicals on human sperm" EMBO reports.  doi.org/10.15252/embr.201438869

    Strünker, T., Goodwin, N., Brenker, C., Kashikar, N. D., Weyand, I., Seifert, R. &  Kaupp, U. B. (2011) "The CatSper channel mediates progesterone-induced Ca2+ influx in human sperm" Nature 471, 382-386. doi.org/10.1038/nature09769

  • Physiology of ion channels and transporters in sperm

    © Christian Schiffer

    We study the molecular and cellular pharmacology, physiology, and biophysics of ion channels and transporters controlling sperm function and fertilization. CatSper, a promiscuous polymodal sensor for a plethora of physicochemical stimuli, takes center stage in the regulation of sperm behavior – and in our research. CatSper is embedded into a complex network of membrane proteins governing sperm signal transduction: The potassium channel Slo3 and the proton channel Hv1, key players in the regulation of membrane potential and intracellular pH, respectively, are also fascinating subjects of our scientific endeavors. With the development of novel inhibitors for sperm ion channels, we provide tools for basic research in reproduction and blueprints for novel contraceptives.

    Selected literature:

    Wang, T., Young, S., Krenz, H., Tüttelmann, F., Röpke, A., Krallmann, C., Kliesch, S., Zeng, X., Brenker, C., & Strünker, T. (2020) "The Ca2+ channel CatSper is not activated by cAMP/PKA signaling but directly affected by chemicals used to probe the action of cAMP and PKA." Journal of Biological Chemistry. doi.org/10.1074/jbc.RA120.013218

    Brenker, C., Zhou, Y., Muller, A., Echeverry, F.A., Trotschel, C., Poetsch, A., Xia, X.M., Bönigk, W., Lingle, C.J., Kaupp, U.B. & Strünker, T. (2014) "The Ca2+-activated K+ current of human sperm is mediated by Slo3" eLife 3. doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01438

    Rennhack A, Schiffer C, Brenker C, Fridman D, Nitao ET, Cheng YM, Tamburrino L, Balbach M, Stölting G, Berger TK, Kierzek M, Alvarez L, Wachten D, Zeng XH, Baldi E, Publicover S, Kaupp UB, Strünker T (2018). "A novel cross-species inhibitor to study the function of CatSper Ca2+ channels in sperm." Br J Pharmacol. doi.org/10.1111/bph.14355

  • The swimming behavior of sperm

    © Christian Schiffer

    How do physicochemical signals translate into changes of sperm motility? What is it that guides sperm towards the egg and allows them to break through its rigid protective coats? A unique set of advanced microscopic techniques, ranging from state-of-the-art high-speed microscopic video acquisition to self-designed optical tweezers, microfluidics, and microhydraulic setups for kinetic stopped-flow microscopy allows us to study the swimming behavior of sperm. Our group combines scientific skills and boundless creativity to study sperm chemotaxis and rheotaxis, the navigation along chemical cues and fluid flows, respectively.

    Selected literature:

    Schiffer, C., Rieger, S., Brenker, C., Young, S., Hamzeh, H., Wachten, D., Tuttelmann, F., Ropke, A., Kaupp, U. B., Wang, T., Wagner, A., Krallmann, C., Kliesch, S., Fallnich, C. &  Strunker, T. (2020) "Rotational motion and rheotaxis of human sperm do not require functional CatSper channels and transmembrane Ca(2+) signaling" The EMBO journal 39, e102363. doi.org/10.15252/embj.2019102363

  • Development of novel diagnostics

    We are developing new diagnostics for the early detection of male infertility and evidence-based therapy selection in medically assisted reproduction. As part of a project funded by "EFRE.NRW" and in the "EXIST-Forschungstransfer" program, we are currently transforming a laboratory test into a CE-compliant medical device that can be used to investigate the activity of the CatSper channel in sperm in patients with fertility disorders. The link to the spin-off working group: Development of novel diagnostics