Central project of the FOR 2123 Sphingolipid metabolic pathways in infection control by the use of chemically synthesized modified sphingolipids and in the era of sphingolipidomics

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Burkhard Kleuser, since 3/2017; Professor Dr. Jürgen Seibel
• Subject Area: Immunology
• Term: from 2014 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 242127429

Click labeling and mass spectrometry are essential tools to study spatial localization, structural confirmation and metabolism of sphingolipids in infection control. The modular synthetic approach of sphingolipids aims to provide custom-made sphingolipid analogs for each project with two or three different bioorthogonal functions, allowing two color staining at different time points and further cross-linking reactions with binding partners. The analytical technology of choice for sphingolipidomics is mass spectrometry, however a comprehensive sphingolipidomic approach that includes all lipid classes and species present in infection control can be achieved not with a single mass spectrometric method. Therefore, an analytical platform for each project of the research unit will be provided that allows deeper insight in the molecular mechanisms involved in infections. The combination of high resolution mass spectrometric analysis, fluorescence microscopy and biorthogonal functional chemistry opens a whole range of new options for all FOR partners to study the relevance of sphingolipids in the control of infection. This allows the identification of novel targets, which can be used for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 2123: Sphingolipid Dynamics in Infection Control
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Professor Dr. Lukasz Japtok, until 3/2017