PI: Nadine Jasmin Ortner
Focus: Our research focuses on the biophysics and pathophysiology of voltage-gated calcium channels. These channels control calcium entry into electrically excitable cells and play essential roles in the nervous, endocrine, auditory, and cardiovascular systems. Using electrophysiological, pharmacological, and molecular biological methods as well as cellular and animal models, we investigate how genetic variants alter channel function and cause disease. Our goal is to understand the relationship between genetic variation, channel function, and clinical phenotype and to use these insights to develop precision medicine approaches.
Networking: Calcium channels function within complex networks – and our research likewise thrives on close collaboration. Our partners include Klaus Liedl, Stefanie Geisler, Frank Edenhofer and Christopher Esk (University of Innsbruck), Monica Fernández-Quintero (University of Copenhagen), Gerald Obermair (Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems), Jochen Roeper (Goethe University Frankfurt), Ute Scholl & Gabriel Stölting (Charité Berlin), Gerald Zamponi & Billie Au (University of Calgary), Jack Underwood (Cardiff University), and Norbert Weiss (Charles University Prague). The global patient network The VGCCC provides an important link to affected individuals and their families.
