OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH PROGRAM
|
| The aim of our research program
is to create and use tools for computational genomics in order to identify
susceptibility genes and therapeutic targets for complex diseases. Specifically,
we are developing software, designing databases, and use sophisticated
computational methods for combined analyses of genome sequences and gene
expression data. In close collaboration with basic and clinical research
partners we are focusing on microarray informatics and its application
to obesity and cancer. |
MICROARRAY INFORMATICS
|
|
We are developing an integrated system for storing and analyzing microarray
data. The analytical pipeline includes modules for image processing, cluster
analysis, sequence analysis as well as tools for storing and retrieving
microarray data. We are using the object model for representing microarray
data developed by the EBI (www.ebi.ac.uk/arrayexpress) which supports
MIAME requirements. The data model has been implemented in Oracle and
a data loader from the MAML file format (an XML based format developed
by MGED) is in development. An application server based on the image processing
and cluster analysis tools is also in development. According to our licensing
policy, the tools are available free of charge to academic, government,
and other nonprofit institutions for noncommercial, nonprofit internal
research purposes. |
OBESITY
|
| Our
aim is to delineate transcriptional regulatory networks of adipocyte differentiation
controlled by PPARs. For this purpose advantage is taken of the availability
of cellular model systems, the specificity provided by synthetic ligands,
and the cDNA microarray technology. We first generated hypotheses by identifying
in silico putative PPAR target genes. In collaboration with The Institute
for Genomic Research (TIGR), Rockville, MD/USA (PI: J. Quackenbush) we
then designed microarrays enriched with these candidate genes. The focused
microarrays are used to monitor gene expression profiles during adipocyte
differentiation of 3T3-L1 cell lines. |
CANCER
|
| Our
aim is to identify molecular signatures in T-cells in cancer. To identify
genes up- or downregulated in the tumor microenvironment, we are developing
a reference database of expression profiles corresponding to various treatments
of Jurkat cells. The database will be used to identify gene expression
patterns in anergic T-cells and tumor micro-environment T-cells sampled
from patients with cancer. Using a database of reference profiles, the
pathway(s) perturbed by the communication between tumor and immune cells
would be ascertained by asking which expression patterns in the database
its profile most strongly resembles. We will take advantage of the availability
of cell lines and microarrays for large-scale gene expression profiling.
This project is a collaboration with the INSERM Unit 255, Paris, France
(PI: Jerome Galon). |
· Welcome to
Graz · Map