RESEARCH OVERVIEW

At the beginning of the 21st century the first human genomes were
sequenced putting the entire blue print of the human organism in our hand.
Now, in the post-genome era, scientists need to make sense of that blue
print and understand how the components of the genome are defined, work
together, and are interacting with the environment. In this sense, the
Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics is on the cross roads of
molecular medicine and bioinformatics using novel tools and methods to
decipher molecular interactions in the context of diseases such as obesity,
diabetes, osteoporosis, autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases of
the gastro-intestinal tract, and cancer.

BIOINFORMATICS FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY & NEXT GENERATION SEQUENCING

The aim of this research area 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,
gene expression, lipidomic and proteomic data. In close collaboration with basic and clinical research partner
we are focusing on next generation sequencing and its application to autoimmune disorders, inflammatory bowel
diseases, obesity and cancer. We are developing integrated systems for analyzing next generation sequencing data.
This includes applications for the assembly and annotation of genomes, the analysis of RNA-seq and ChIP-seq data
and the characterization of metagenomic data sets. 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.

Mass spectrometry is among the most sensitive and specific analytical methods for the
analysis of bio molecules. Even in complex biological samples, molecules at the lower
femtomole region can be reliably detected. For this sensitive method, we develop algorithms,
software and databases to automate manual data evaluation procedures and provide means
for data analysis and management. In particular, we are in close collaborations with basic
and clinical research partners in the high throughput disciplines proteomics, lipidomics and
metabolomics. In turn, the benefit of these research fields is manifold; in recent years, they
established novel insights in obesity, cancer, infectious diseases and many other pathological
defects. Our tools are available free of charge to academia, government, and other nonprofit
institutions for noncommercial, nonprofit internal research purposes.

HUMAN METABOLISM AND DISEASE - ADIPOSE & RNA BIOLOGY

In addition to energy-storing white fat cells, mammals also possess a second type of adipocytes: the brown
fat cells, which are specialized in energy expenditure due to fatty acid and carbohydrate oxidation.
This mechanism of non-shivering thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT) has long been known to
dissipate excess calories in rodents. Intriguingly, recent studies have proved the existence of
functional BAT also in adult humans.

Therefore, the RNA BIOLOGY group of Marcel Scheideler is investigating the recruitment and activation of brown adipocytes in human, with the aim to reveal novel therapeutic strategies against obesity and diabetes.
Within this exciting field of human metabolism, our special focus is on non-protein-coding RNAs,
particularly microRNAs.

These tiny regulators, residing in continuously overlooked parts of the genome, have been discovered in human
only a decade ago, but since then have been recognized as crucial components in numerous biological
processes and disorders. By applying gain- and loss-of-function studies, in silico and genome-wide
screening approaches on human cell and tissue samples as well as on mouse models, we aim at the
identification, characterization and delivery of novel non-protein-coding regulators able to
redirect the energy balance from storage to expenditure as curative therapy for obesity, metabolic
syndrome and cardiovascular disease.

METABOLIC DISORDERS

Based on various high-throughput studies in mice and cell culture models, and bioinformatic analyses thereof,
the group of Bogner-Strauss selects yet uncharacterized genes/proteins which show a strong deregulation in
adipose and other metabolic tissues. These novel candidates are subjected to functional characterization by
gain- and loss-of-function studies in cell culture models and ultimately, in genetically modified mouse models.
The aim of these studies is to shed new light on lipid and glucose metabolism and to describe new targets for the treatment of metabolic disorders like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.