OXPL - Molecular level physiology and pathology of oxidized phospholipids

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Thorsten Hugel
• Subject Area: Biophysics
• Term: from 2009 to 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 128019854

Oxidized phospholipids (oxPL) are now known to be involved in several pathological conditions, such as atherosclerosis, inflammation, infection, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, phospholipid oxidation appears to be generically involved in apoptosis. However, a coherent overall view of the causalities and mechanisms behind these conditions is lacking, mainly because of insufficient understanding of the occurring processes on a cellular as well as a molecular level. The OXPL consortium represents a highly focussed, integrated interdisciplinary approach of European research laboratories already active in this now rapidly emerging area in biological chemistry, together with additional skills brought into the project by groups representing state-of-the-art expertise in method and high resolution instrumentation development for the characterization of biomolecules, their interactions in biomembranes, and localization in cells. More specifically, this CRP combines leading edge expertises on membrane biophysics, from modern MD simulations to a range of experimental techniques (ellipsometry, Langmuir troughs, FCS, AFM, NMR), all the way to protein folding, molecular cell biology, imaging, chemical biology, and lipidomics analyses. The project will pave the way to the development of improved diagnostics, therapies and preventive measures to combat the above diseases, and will take European research to the leading edge in this rapidly emerging and important area.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants