Integrative Cell Physiology
The research of this group focuses on the quantitative analysis and integration of physiological processes starting from the cellular level up to the whole human being. The goal is an enhanced understanding of dynamic physiological processes, especially with respect to their stability and homeostatic compensations towards the possible crossing of tipping points. This should help to understand and recognize pathophysiological processes in order to avoid or delay the onset of diseases or to be able to start therapies at an early stage.
In this context we are investigating the effects of bioactive peptides, especially antihypertensive peptides. These are analyzed starting at the cellular level, at the level of organs up to possibilities of hypertension protection in humans [Martin2015, Martin2019]. Analogously, the extracellular adenine nucleotide and nucleoside metabolism and its influence on vascular calcification is in focus. Another focus is on the analysis and modeling of cell migration as a stochastic, anomalous process [Dieterich2008, Dieterich2022]. Furthermore, we investigate how cell-cell interactions in confluent endothelial cells alter single cell dynamics and generate collective movements.
In addition to general biochemical methods, HPLC/UHPLC analysis is used to obtain quantitative experimental data in numerous projects. In addition, we use light microscopic methods for the analysis of cell migration as well as self-developed software for tracking cell movements. Mathematical model analysis together with Bayesian data analysis provides the analytical bracket for the integration of experimental results.
Our working group is networked with various groups on the Medical Campus and the TU Dresden as well as with other national and international partners (see Cooperations).
Key Publications
- Dieterich P, Lindemann O, Moskopp ML, Tauzin S, Huttenlocher A, Klages R, Chechkin A, Schwab A. Asymmetric anomalous diffusion in neutrophil chemotaxis. PLoS Computational Biology 18(5), e1010089/1-26 (2022).
- Martin M, Deussen A. Effects of natural peptides from food proteins on angiotensin converting enzyme activity and hypertension. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 59 (8), 1264–1283 (2019).
- Martin M, Kopaliani I, Jannasch A, Mund C, Todorov V, Henle T, Deussen A. Antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects of the dipeptide isoleucine-tryptophan and whey protein hydrolysate. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 215, 167-176 (2015).
- Dieterich P, Klages R, Preuss R, Schwab A. Anomalous dynamics of cell migration. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA V105(2):459-63 (2008).