INNOVATING CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH THROUGH ION CHANNEL RESEARCH

Welcome

At the forefront of cardiovascular health, we lead groundbreaking research on ion channel dynamics and their impact on cellular processes. Our work spans molecular mechanisms, translational applications, and therapeutic advancements aimed at improving global health outcomes. With a commitment to excellence, we collaborate across disciplines to address some of the most pressing challenges in biomedicine today.

Key Research Highlights

Functional and Molecular Specificity of OCaR-Dependent Calcium Release

- Investigating the role of OCaR1 and OCaR2 in NAADP-mediated Ca²⁺ signaling. - Utilizing affinity, proximity, and organellar proteomics to understand OCaR-driven Ca²⁺ signaling in various cell types.
Molecular Circuits Leading to Ventricular Arrhythmias

- Identifying OCaR2 as a regulator of lysosomal two-pore channels.
- Combining Ca²⁺ imaging, ECG telemetry, and computational methods to elucidate pathways causing catecholaminergic arrhythmias.
Integrated Graduate School for CardioScience

- Promoting young Cardioscientists through a comprehensive training program.
- Enhancing cardiovascular research by providing state-of-the-art experimental approaches and mentoring.
Adenine-Nucleotide Signal Transduction in Mast Cell Activation

- Exploring the role of adenine nucleotides in regulating Ca²⁺ homeostasis in mast cells.
- Applying electrophysiology and imaging techniques to investigate the interaction of Orai and TPC channels in inflammation.

Platform for CRISPR/Cas9 technology and AAV8 atherosclerosis model

TRPC5 controls the adrenaline-mediated counter regulation of hypoglycemia.

Bröker-Lai J, Rego Terol J, Richter C, Mathar I, Wirth A, Kopf S, Moreno-Pérez A, Büttner M, Tan LL, Makke M, Poschet G, Hermann J, Tsvilovskyy V, Haberkorn U, Wartenberg P, Susperreguy S, Berlin M, Ottenheijm R, Philippaert K, Wu M, Wiedemann T, Herzig S, Belkacemi A, Levinson RT, Agarwal N, Camacho Londoño JE, Klebl B, Dinkel K, Zufall F, Nussbaumer P, Boehm U, Hell R, Nawroth P, Birnbaumer L, Leinders-Zufall T, Kuner R, Zorn M, Bruns D, Schwarz Y, Freichel M.

The many facets of TMEM63/OCaR proteins as mechanosensitive channels in lysosomes, NAADP signaling and beyond.

Freichel M, Tsvilovskyy V, Philippaert K, Schulte U, Ottenheijm R. Cell Calcium. 2024 Nov;123:102942. doi: 10.1016/j.ceca.2024.102942. Epub 2024 Aug 4.PMID: 39121527

OCaR1 endows exocytic vesicles with autoregulatory competence by preventing uncontrolled Ca2+ release, exocytosis, and pancreatic tissue damage.

Tsvilovskyy V, Ottenheijm R, Kriebs U, Schütz A, Diakopoulos KN, Jha A, Bildl W, Wirth A, Böck J, Jaślan D, Ferro I, Taberner FJ, Kalinina O, Hildebrand S, Wissenbach U, Weissgerber P, Vogt D, Eberhagen C, Mannebach S, Berlin M, Kuryshev V, Schumacher D, Philippaert K, Camacho-Londoño JE, Mathar I, Dieterich C, Klugbauer N, Biel M, Wahl-Schott C, Lipp P, Flockerzi V, Zischka H, Algül H, Lechner SG, Lesina M, Grimm C, Fakler B, Schulte U, Muallem S, Freichel M. J Clin Invest. 2024 Apr 1;134(7):e169428. doi: 10.1172/JCI169428.PMID: 38557489

FREICHEL-LAB