Lina Kolloch receives Möller Doctoral Prize for study on pancreatic cancer
They are essential for regulating various cellular processes, including cell division and cell growth, and play a key role in cell proliferation: kinases. Unfortunately, nature is not a one-way street, which is why this process doesn't only occur in "good" cells: kinases are also relevant in those malignant cells that we don't want to find in the body: cancer cells. Dr. Lina Kolloch, a doctoral student at the Institute of Molecular Tumor Biology, is addressing this issue in order to make progress in the fight against pancreatic cancer. In her study, she examined the kinase CDK7 and its role in cancer cell reproduction. For her work, the young scientist has now received the Maria Möller Foundation's doctoral award, endowed with 1,000 euros.
New research consortium investigates the biology of immune cells
DFG supports major interdisciplinary project in the field of medicine
New impetus for excellent research: The German Research Foundation (DFG) is establishing a new Collaborative Research Center/Transregio (CRC/TRR) at the WWU Münster. The network, entitled "Neutrophil Granulocytes: Development, Behavior and Function," is dedicated to the research of special cells of the immune system. It will receive funding of around 11.5 million euros starting in July for an initial period of four years. The spokesperson for the network is Prof. Dr. Oliver Söhnlein from the Institute of Experimental Pathology in the Faculty of Medicine at the WWU. The CRC/TRR brings together researchers from three applying universities – the WWU Münster, the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and the University of Duisburg-Essen – as well as two associated institutions, the Technical University of Dresden and the Leibniz Institute for Analytical Sciences Dortmund. "With the new cross-site research network, the scientists are pooling their expertise in the field of neutrophils. This funding is a major success for medical research in Münster, bringing together basic research and clinical application in the future," emphasizes Prof. Dr. Monika Stoll, Vice Rector for Research at the University of Münster. Neutrophils are specialized immune cells and the most abundant white blood cells in human blood. They are important for the immune defense because they recognize and destroy harmful microorganisms. Until now, neutrophils were primarily viewed as cells that, after their production, circulate in the blood as differentiated cells and die after a very short lifespan or influence inflammatory reactions in an uncontrolled manner. Based on a changing understanding of neutrophils, the research network is investigating the complexity of the function of these immune cells and the tightly controlled regulation of their activity. "Among other things, we want to understand how environmental signals, such as the time of day, influence the production, properties, and function of neutrophils. To do this, we are investigating the role of signals from different microenvironments, for example, tumor versus stroke, or metabolic changes," explains Oliver Söhnlein. "We are also researching how intracellular signal processing regulates neutrophil function."
The project pursues a so-called translational approach – the transfer of new research findings from the laboratory to clinical application. "Ultimately, patients should benefit from our research results and receive the best possible treatment," emphasizes Oliver Söhnlein. The research team is developing a central platform that combines modern imaging techniques and enables the visualization of neutrophils in tissue, i.e., in their natural environment. In addition, the scientists are developing an IT platform that provides a tailored infrastructure for data management and analysis. In addition, the data from each individual project will be integrated and made available on a freely accessible and free internet platform (open access).
The Tuberous Sclerosis Foundation's 2023 Research Prize goes to Andrea Oeckinghaus and Daniel Kümmel
Message from 28.04.2023
Wiesbaden/Münster – The German Tuberous Sclerosis Foundation has awarded its €10,000 research prize for the fifth time. This year's award goes to two researchers at the University of Münster: biochemist Dr. Andrea Oeckinghaus from the Institute of Molecular Tumor Biology and Prof. Daniel Kümmel from the Institute of Biochemistry. The two researchers are investigating the function and regulation of the tuberous sclerosis protein complex (TSC), the disruption of which causes the rare disease.
In tuberous sclerosis (TS), genetic defects disrupt the function of the proteins that form the so-called TSC complex. As a result, a specific cellular signaling pathway, the mTORC1 (mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1), is overactivated. Because this pathway plays an important role in brain development, those affected are at high risk for neurological developmental disorders, autism, and severe epilepsy, even from infancy. In addition, tumors often develop that are essentially benign – especially in the brain, heart, or kidneys – but can nevertheless be dangerous for the patient due to their size or location. For several years, certain medications have been used to treat tuberous sclerosis. These drugs inhibit the overactivated mTORC1 signaling pathway, thus leading to partial relief of TS symptoms and the regression of certain tumors. "However, there are currently no treatment options that can directly counteract the disruption of the TSC complex," says Dr. Andrea Oeckinghaus. "Through our investigations into the function of the TSC complex, we hope to uncover new approaches."
In their award-winning work, the two researchers have gained initial important insights into this area. By considering the TSC complex as a molecular machine based on a complex blueprint with numerous building blocks, they have gained new insights into its functionality. This has enabled a better understanding of the influence of TSC mutations occurring in patients on the activity of the protein complex and the identification of new regulatory mechanisms. "Disruption of the function or regulation of the TSC complex leads to the development of the disease – in theory, depending on the defective 'component,' there could be different therapeutic approaches that could be of varying suitability and would need to be tailored accordingly," adds Prof. Daniel Kümmel. Through further investigations into the functioning of the TSC complex and characterization of the changes caused by patient mutations, the researchers aim to uncover even more new molecular details. "We are very pleased that basic research by our colleagues and us has received such high recognition with this award. We hope that our work will contribute to the development of new approaches for patient treatment in the future," say the award winners.
The winners were selected by a jury of experts chaired by Prof. Karl Max Einhäupl, the former long-time Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Charité Berlin. In addition to Einhäupl, the coveted prize was awarded by the founders of the German Tuberous Sclerosis Foundation, Anke Koch and her husband Roland Koch, former Prime Minister of Hesse.
