Laboratory of Functional and Molecular Membrane Physiology - FMMP

Address
Strubergasse 21, A-5020 Salzburg

Head
Univ. Prof. Dr. Markus Ritter

Staff
Priv. Doz. Dr. Martin Jakab
Mag. Dr. Sabine Schmidt
Eva Iglseder, BMA
Nina Ketterl, Dipl. Biol.
Doris Streif MSc

Main research areas:

• Mechanisms and functional significance of cell volume regulation
• Molecular identification and functional characterization of the non-gastric H+/K+ ATPase
• The importance of ion transport in tumor formation and apoptosis
• Regulation of cell migration and chemotaxis through ion transport
• Molecular, biophysical and pharmacological characterization of the swelling-activated anion channel and its functional significance for cell proliferation, apoptosis, chemotaxis and hormone secretion

Techniques:

• Electrophysiology: Conventional and perforated Patch Clamp technique (whole cell and single channel ion current measurements, membrane potential measurements, action potential recordings)
• Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET): molecular protein-protein-interactions and protein-membrane-interactions of CFP-YFP labeled proteins and/or membranes in living cells.
• Microfluorimetric techniques and fluorescence microscopy: intracellular measurements of ion concentrations (calcium, chloride, pH, etc.), Quenching techniques (Fura 2-manganese, MEQ-halide, calcein, FRET-based methods, etc.)
• Measurement of cell volume and cell volume regulation by flow cytometry (Coulter method combined with fluorescence measurements for simultaneous assessment of e.g. parameters of apoptosis or cell surface markers), video imaging, deconvolution and 3D/4D rendering.
• Hormone release measurements by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
• Cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution and apoptosis measurements
• Cell migration measurements: time lapse video monitoring, chamber and gel assays
• Molecular biology: standard methods of DNA and RNA preparation, PCR, RT-PCR, Real-Time PCR using SYBR-green® and TaqMan® gene expression assays, RACE-technology, DNA cloning, promoter-luciferase assays, site-directed mutagenesis, gel electrophoresis, protein purification, Western blotting
• Cell culture and cell transfection

Laboratory for Translational Research in Immunotoxicity TIF

Address
Billrothstraße 11, A-5020 Salzburg

Head
Univ. Doz. Dr. Arnulf Hartl

Staff
MA Heidi Dobias
Mag. Martin Gaisberger
MA Renata Sanovic
Dr. Anja Geretschläger

Main research areas and techniques:

• DNA-based vaccines for protective and therapeutic applications against allergic diseases
• Biological and immunological characterization of hypo-allergenic proteins
• In silico generated hypoallergens for specific immunotherapy (SIT)
• Investigation of environmental influences on the course of atopic diseases
• Investigation of waterfall microclimate (aerosol) on clinical, functional and molecular allergy and asthma, and stress parameters
• Protein engineering and protein purification
• Molecular biology, large-scale plasmid production, real-time PCR
• Cloning and expression
• 4-color FACS, intracellular cytokine colouration
• Cytometric Bead Arrays
• Mediator release assays (FAST, CAST, RBL)
• Lymphocyte proliferation assay
• Plethysmography
• Anaphylaxis assays (direct and passive PCA)
• Production of monoclonal antibodies
• Cell culture
• Clinical studies:
  
  Clinical study on “Splash Camp Krimml”
  www.splash-ionosol.com or http://www.splash-camp-krimml.at
  
  Controlled clinical study: "Stress Reduction and Short-Term Leave" in the National Park Hohe Tauern, Carinthia
  www.aquahealth.at
  
  Controlled clinical study: on "Gender, Health and Short-term Leave" in Krimml.
  (http://www.splashionosol.com)
  
  Preclinical study: o "Asthma Athletes" at the Oetztaler Stuibenfall

Research Institute Gastein