Research Team Kratky

Research focus Metabolism

PI: Dagmar Kratky

Focus: Storage and degradation of lipids are tightly regulated processes involving intracellular lipid hydrolases, enzymes of lipid biosynthesis, and regulatory proteins. Excessive lipid accumulation is central in the pathogenesis of prevalent metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Our team investigates the function of lipid hydrolases in the regulation of lipid and energy metabolism in the whole organism as well as in specific organs (e.g. liver, small intestine, adipose tissue) and cells (hepatocytes, enterocytes, adipocytes). Furthermore, we are interested in the role of lipid hydrolases in macrophages with regard to the development of atherosclerosis.

Networking: Our team collaborates closely within the research center with the research teams of Gernot Grabner (lipid hydrolases and inhibitors), Andreas Prokesch (molecular mechanisms of fasting), Corina Madreiter and Wolfgang Graier (energy metabolism). As part of the flagship project VascHealth, we work together with Andreas Reinisch, Kathrin Eller, Mahmoud Abdellatif, and Simon Sedej. We also collaborate with Tobias Madl (metabolomics), Dagmar Kolb (electron microscopy), and Roland Malli/Sandra Burgstaller (fluorescence probes).

Projects

SFB Lipid Hydrolysis: Cellular Lipid Degradation Pathways in Health and Disease

The SFB consortium pursues the following project goals: (1) discovery and biochemical characterization of unknown lipid hydrolases, (2) elucidation of the function of known and newly identified lipid hydrolases, (3) description of the complex reaction processes of hydrolytic cleavage of lipids, and (4) investigation of the role of lipid hydrolases in the development of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or cancer. Our results should help to develop new treatment options for these most common health problems worldwide.
Duration: 2019-2027
Funded by: FWF, Med Uni Graz, Land Steiermark, Stadt Graz
Project partners: Monika Oberer (Uni Graz), Günter Hämmerle (Uni Graz), Robert Zimmermann (Uni Graz), Ruth Birner-Grünberger (TU Vienna), Michael Trauner (Med Uni Vienna), Franz Radner (Uni Graz), Karl Gruber (Uni Graz)

Vascular Health in Aging and Disease

To jointly investigate a burning medical issue in order to discover entirely new approaches for its treatment – that's the goal of the physicians and basic researchers in the very first "Flagship" project at the Medical University of Graz. This new research initiative at the Medical University of Graz places a uniquely Austrian emphasis on interdisciplinary research between clinicians and basic researchers.
When our vascular system becomes compromised, the consequences include heart attacks, strokes, heart or kidney failure – the most common causes of death in Austria and worldwide. In addition to the individual suffering and the loss of healthy years of life, vascular diseases cause enormous societal and economic damage.
Duration: 2022-2027
Funded by: Med Uni Graz
Project partners: Peter Rainer, Andreas Reinisch, Simon Sedej, Kathrin Eller, Mahmoud Abdellatif