Institute of Pharmacology (Center for Physiology and Pharmacology)
Position: Assistant Professor
E-Mail: christian.w.gruber@meduniwien.ac.at
Research Area
Neuropeptides
Research Interests
Molecular Pharmacology of Bioactive Peptides from Nature, Molecular Signaling and Pharmaceutical Applications of Peptide Therapeutics, Physiology of Neuropeptides from Invertebrates
Principle Investigator(s)
Interest Group(s)
Abstract
Natural peptides of great number and diversity occur in all organisms, but their biological role is often unknown. Our lab aims to answer fundamental biological questions about the individual function of neuropeptides in invertebrates. In addition we would like to elucidate the role of neuropeptide-like plant compounds in interspecies defense and communication. Lastly, we translate fundamental knowledge to therapeutic drug discovery and explore synthetically optimized insect and plant peptides for applications as ligands of GPCRs, the most important class of pharmaceutical drug targets.
Techniques
The discovery of naturally-occurring neuropeptides involves transcriptome analysis, database mining, and peptidomics using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry. In addition we employ high-throughput functional receptor screening and chemical proteomics target discovery to identify novel ligands and receptors. Function of these receptors will by studied by biochemical and pharmacological methods, gene knock-down experiments combined with behavioral and physiological observations. Translational studies for discovering novel human peptide therapeutics is being performed of disease-relevant mouse models.