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THE PROTEIN CHEMISTRY GROUP
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Bioinformatics Analysis of whole genome sequences reveal several genes almost exclusively detected in extremophiles. For many of those open reading frames no biochemical function of the gene product is known. We clone those genes in E. coli and determine their function via both biochemical and bioinformatic methods. Currently the following analysis tools are online:
There is an increasing interest in identifying and validating non-invasive biomarkers, which can be used to improve the accuracy of diagnosis, predict prognosis and to monitor disease progression and response to therapy. Biomarkers isolated from patient specimens may be proteins, polypeptides, lipids, hormones, metabolic intermediates, or nucleic acids and their derivatives. We focus to investigate the diagnostic potential of microRNAs. MicroRNAs are small noncoding molecules, that are involved in important biological processes and are often dysregulated in a variety of diseases. As microRNAs have been recognized not only intracellularly, but also in human body fluids, we carry out experiments to determine the microRNA signatures in saliva and urine from patients with different types of cancer types. Dental reseach Dental caries is a major public health problem. The focus of modern dentistry is to manage non-cavitated caries lesions non-invasively through remineralisation to prevent disease progression. A range of calcium-phosphate-based remineralisation delivery systems have been developed for clinical application. In nature, strategies for biomineralization have evolved through the interaction of proteins with fluid mineral phases like saliva. Taking nature as a model, our goal is to develop a novel medical device for inhibition of the pathological loss of mineral (demineralization) and enhancement of the uptake of salivary calcium and phosphate (remineralization). |