SFB 1039: Signalling by Fatty Acid Derivatives and Sphingolipids in Health and Disease

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Cellular functions are usually linked to the activity of proteins and nucleic acids. Accordingly, human diseases are classified as malfunctions of these classes of macromolecules. Indeed, most of the approved pharmaceuticals as well as new classes of drugs are searched for and optimized by structural data of proteins. There is an increasing perception that lipids exert a controlling influence on the localization and activity of proteins, act as important inter- and intracellular signalling molecules, and serve as targets for the development of new pharmaceuticals. Over the past few years it has become clear that specific alterations in lipid metabolism play an important role in the initiation and progression of important diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer, inflammation, organ fibrosis, pain as well as neurodegenerative diseases. Lipid metabolism generates signalling molecules of exceptional variability and complexity but the analytical methods used to detect lipid intermediates have been improved and potent therapeutics directed against lipids and lipid signalling have been introduced into the market. Therefore, interest in this area is steadily increasing and lipid signalling is on its way becoming a central topic in translational research. Our Collaborative Research Centre focusses on two classes of lipid molecules: fatty acids and their derivatives and signalling molecules derived from sphingolipids. The projects focus on four major research areas: (i) Inflammation, fibrosis and pain research, (ii) Barrier protection, (iii) Regulation of metabolism, and (iv) Immune defence and tumour development. Projects will address specific questions such as: (1) How do lipid signalling molecules regulate gene expression in acute and chronic inflammation and in the resolution of inflammation? (2) How do lipids modulate epigenetic mechanisms? (3) How do lipids and matrix molecules interact in cellular signalling? (4) How do lipids modulate protein signalling cascades in cell death and disease? We are confident that a detailed understanding of the lipid signalling networks that are the focus of our research will lead the way to transitional research approaches aiming for novel innovative diagnostic and therapy of highly-relevant diseases.