FOR 5146:  Defining the osteohepatic axis in the context of iron homeostasis - FerrOs

• Subject Area: Medicine
• Term: since 2020
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 436298031

Collaboration across four sites is paramount to gather the expertise in liver, iron, and bone metabolism that is required to successfully conduct this transregional FerrOs project. Measures need to be taken to ensure efficient collaboration, communication, and the standardization of methods to generate reproducible data. These measures (e.g. retreats, teleconference calls, webinars, training course, homepage) will be implemented by the spokesperson together with a coordinator, the position for which we apply here. The coordinator will also manage and implement tools that promote gender quality such as a free-lance nanny service, home office supplies, and flexible funds to continue research during parental leave. Moreover, mentoring and support of young researchers is essential for promoting the next generation of researchers. Therefore, we will implement specific tools (e.g. start-up funding, personal coaching) to advance the careers of young researchers. FerrOs requests funding for three clinician-scientists to obtain protected research time to promote their scientific progression and foster clinical translation by validating findings in mice in human tissues. Along those lines, we have gained access to well-defined large cohorts through collaboration partners that will allow interrogating the link between iron and bone metabolism in humans. These analyses shall be performed by a bioinformatician in close communication with our collaboration partners. Moreover, as several projects will generate -omics data, the bioinformatician will also assist with these complex analyses to ensure standardized data analysis. Taken together, this project is essential for a successful performance of FerrOs as all project partners will benefit from its services.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• International Connection: Switzerland

Projects

• Coordination Funds (Applicant Rauner, Martina )
• Defining the role of the iron-sensor Tfr2 in ossification processes (Applicant Baschant, Ulrike )
• Dissecting the bone cell-specific functions of ferroportin (Applicants Altamura, Sandro ;  Hofbauer, Lorenz C. )
• Identification of iron-related signals controlling BMP expression in liver non-parenchymal cells (Applicant Muckenthaler, Martina )
• Impact of iron and anemia on bone metabolism and fractures (Applicants Burden, Ph.D., Andrea ;  Hofbauer, Lorenz C. ;  Steinbicker, Andrea Ulrike )
• Mechanisms of Tfr1-mediated iron uptake in bone and effects of iron on bone cell bioenergetics (Applicant Rauner, Martina )
• Role of iron in bone metabolism of Hfe-hemochromatosis (Applicant Vujic Spasic, Ph.D., Maja )
• TMPRSS6-mediated regulation of iron via cleavage of components of the bone morphogenetic protein signaling pathway in liver and bone (Applicants Seebohm, Guiscard ;  Steinbicker, Andrea Ulrike )
• Unraveling mechanisms regulating the dynamics of BMP signal transduction and its impact on hepcidin expression with a systems biology approach (Applicant Klingmüller, Ursula )

• Spokesperson: Professorin Dr. Martina Rauner