MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY UNIT

ACTIVITIES

• Research in experimental biomedicine related to domestic and international projects
• Mentorship of the diploma, M.S., and Ph.D. theses in the field of biomedicine

SPECIFIC RESEARCH INTERESTS

Expression of membrane transporters of organic anions and cations, glucose, protons, and water in the mammalian kidneys and other organs in experimental animals (mice, rats), pigs, and humans:

• Sex and species differences in the expression of transporters
• Regulation of the transporters expression by sex hormones at the level of mRNA and/or protein
• Regulation of the transporters expression via the intracellular vesicle trafficking; role of cytoskeleton
• Relation of the transporter expression to (re)absorptive and/or secretory functions of an organ

Experimental toxicity of some heavy metals (cadmium, mercury, lead):

• Mechanism of toxicity of some heavy metals in cells along nephron
• Role of cell membrane transporters in transport and toxicity of heavy metals
• Effect of toxic heavy metals on the structure and function of cytoskeleton and intracellular vesicle trafficking, and expression of cell membrane transporters in the mammalian kidneys and liver
• Role of metallothioneins as mediators and/or protectors in heavy metal toxicity

Physiology, pathophysiology, and toxicology of proton transport in male and female reproductive tract:

• Proton-transporting molecules in cells along the male and female reproductive tract of rats and humans
• Morphological and functional characteristics of proton-transporting cells in the male and female reproductive tract in experimental heavy metal toxicity in rats

COLLABORATORS ABROAD

1. Prof. Naohiko Anzai, M.D., Ph.D., Pharmacology and Toxicology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
2. Prof. Hermann Koepsell, M.D., Ph.D., Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
3. Prof. Gerhard Burckhardt, M.D., Ph.D. c/o Prof. Birgitta C.Burckhardt, Ph.D., Vegetative Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
4. Prof. Frank Thevenod, M.D.., Ph.D., Physiology and Pathophysiology, Department of Human Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany