Research projects
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1. Protein tyrosine phosphatases and central insulin resistance
Project leader: Professor Kai Kappert, MD
Co-worker: Jannis Ulke
Cooperation partner: Professor André Kleinridders, PhD, University of Potsdam
Obesity and diabetes are characterized by insulin resistance. This is a condition characterized by limited response of the body to insulin. Insulin resistance manifests itself both in peripheral tissues and in the brain. This also affects emotional behavior.
Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are dephosphorylating enzymes with negative regulatory effects on tyrosine signal transduction (Krüger et al. Mol Metab 2015, Kramer et al. Haematologica 2020). In this project, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the importance of PTPs in the interplay between cerebral insulin resistance and obesity is investigated in collaboration with the working group of Professor Kleinridders (University of Potsdam). The overall goal is to characterize previously unidentified PTPs as potential modulators of cerebral insulin resistance and emotional behavior.
2. Inflammation-mediated insulin resistance and skeletal muscle atrophy.
Project leader: Professor Kai Kappert, MD
Co-worker: Vanessa Stein
Cooperation partner: Professor Jens Fielitz, MD, University medicine Greifswald
Critically ill patients in intensive care units are frequently exposed to the development of generalized weakness with decrease in muscle mass (skeletal muscle atrophy). This condition of intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW) is associated with high morbidity and mortality, but no specific therapy has been established to date.
Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are dephosphorylating enzymes with negative regulatory effects on tyrosine signal transduction (Krüger et al. Mol Metab 2015, Kramer et al. Haematologica 2020). In this project, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the importance of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) in inflammation-mediated insulin resistance and skeletal muscle atrophy is investigated in collaboration with the working group of Professor Fielitz (University Medicine Greifswald). In this project, we are aiming at identifying PTPs as molecular targets that can be used to prevent muscle weakness.