Research team Schindl

Research focus: Signaling

PI: Rainer Schindl

Focus: Electrophysiology and bioelectronic medicine: electrophysiological characterisation of ion channels, stimulation of neurons by optoelectronic foils and 3) iontronic chemotherapy.

Network: With close collaborations within the Medical University of Graz, together with the laboratory of Klaus Groschner, Biophysics, we use optical tools to control ion channel signaling (optoelectronics and optopharmacology). With the team of Ruth Prassl, Biophysics and Muammer Ücal, University Clinic for Neurosurgery, we analyse neuron stimulation and the implant – tissue interface by optoelectronic foils. Local chemotherapy approaches with iontronics are investigated with the lab of Silke Patz University Clinic for Neurosurgery.

Projects

Calcium signaling and gene regulation

We investigate ion-channel function and its role in signal transduction and gene regulation. Our research focuses on the molecular mechanism of store-operated calcium channels, which play central roles in immune function. We combine functional live cell techniques, including electrophysiology and fluorescence microscopy in combination with mutagenesis studies to determine the structure and mechanism of Ca2+ signalling complexes. We collaborate with computer scientists to determine channel regulation via molecular dynamics simulations. Current funded project aims to determine how transcription factor activation is precisely controlled in temporal and spatial shaped calcium microdomains of single living cells.
Duration: 2020-2022
Funded by: FWF
Project partners: Christoph Romanin, Johannes Kepler Universität Linz, Daniel Bonhenry, Czech academy of Sciences

Targeted Drug Delivery to Brain Tumors

We aim to establish a fundamentally new targeted administration of chemotherapeutic drugs into the immediate vicinity of tumors to achieve greater efficacy than systemic drug application and to reduce adverse effects. To achieve optimized spatial restriction of chemotherapeutic treatment of brain cancers such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), we aim at the development of a novel implant based on the technology of Organic Electronic Ionic Pumps (OEIPs) in cooperation with partners from Linköping University (LiU, SE). This technology shall be incorporated into a brain implant, which is filled with approved and potent chemotherapeutics that also serve as radiosensitizers, however, are restricted by the blood brain barrier. These drugs that can barely cross the blood brain barrier are therefore generally of limited applicability to brain tumours. Hence, the OEIP-based implant will be optimized for local application via precise electronic controllability of dosing and timing using glioblastoma cell lines and patient-derived glioblastoma cells and tissue.
Duration: 2020-2022
Funded by: TAI 245 1000 Ideas Project, ÖAW Doc fellowship to Linda Waldherr
Project partners: Daniel Simon, LIU, Silke Patz, Med Uni Graz

Division of Biophysics

Ass.-Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.
Rainer Schindl

T: +43 316 385 71532

E: rainer.schindl(at)medunigraz.at

Research profile

Team

Members

Gehirnimplantat

Video aus der Reihe "Wissenswert"

Electronically controlled drug delivery for glioblastoma treatment

Video Brain Tumors