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Experimentelle Ophthamologie Regensburg

Research Group of Prof. Dr. Olaf Strauss, Regensburg, Germany.

The main interest of the Experimentelle Ophthalmologie Regensburg is the cell physiology of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in health and disease. The RPE forms a functional with the photoreceptors of the eye and is essential in visual function. The failure of these functions leads to retinal degenerations or macular degenerations. We want to know how the functions of the RPE are regulated and how these regulatory mechanisms change in a chain of events leading to degenerative diseases of the retina. Using cultured cells, cell lines or animal models for retinal diseases we investigate signalling by means of changes intracellular free Ca2+regulating cell function such as phagocytosis or secretion by the RPE. Underlying protein/protein interactions are investigated by heterologeously expressed protein. The changes in the protein/protein interaction due to gene mutation can be identified in the isolated system as well in the animal. A focus is on ion channels and the regulation of ion channel activity. With the line up of the established methods the cell function is investigated from gene-expression, to regulatory mechanisms, controlling cell function and the reaction of the whole organ.

Methodology

  • Molecular cloning,
  • heterologeous expression,
  • Ca2+ imaging,
  • Patch-clamp analysis of ion channels,
  • secretion assay,
  • light-damage,
  • immunoprecipiation,
  • histology

Cooperations

Cooperation 1:
Miguel Seabra London Imperial College

Cooperation 2:
Catherine Bowes Rickman, Duke University Durham, USA

Cooperation 3:
Bernhard Weber, Regensburg

Cooperation 4:
Ernst Tamm, Regensburg

Cooperation 5:
Andreas Reichenbach Leipzig

Group Leader

Prof. Dr. Olaf Strauss

more information

Contact

Klinik und Polklinik für Augenheilkunde
Klinikum der Universität Regensburg

Franz-Josef-Strauss Allee 11
93053 Regensburg
Germany

Phone: +49-941-9228
Fax: +49-941-9202

Email:
strauss[at]eye-regensburg.de

Website:
Experimentelle Ophthamologie Regensburg

Current Research Projects

Project 1:
Function of bestrophin-1 and the mechanisms leading to Best’s disease

Project 2:
Choroidal neovascularisation in age-related macular degeneration

Project 3:
Interaction between rab-proteins and ioin channels

Project 4:
Communication between Müller cells and RPE cells

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