Apoptose

The metabolic differences between compensatory cell proliferation and ongoing apoptosis

In recent years, it has been shown that dying cells send signals to their environment. However, the response of the surrounding cells to these signals can vary greatly, ranging from the initiation of cell death to cell proliferation. Understanding the mechanisms by which either cell growth or anti-inflammatory responses are induced is particularly important in the clinical context. The apoptotic secretome of blood cells is currently being researched in clinical studies in order to develop new treatment options for various diseases. Small molecules such as amino acids have also been shown to be important messengers.

Since the effectiveness of therapy with secretomes is highly dependent on the patient's health status, the use of secretomes from the patient's own blood may not always be successful. Therefore, it is crucial to identify biologically active small molecules that could serve as the basis for new therapeutics. There are also different types of cell death whose effects on the surrounding cells are not fully understood, especially in relation to the small signaling molecules.

The aim of this project is to investigate the effects of different types of cell death on neighboring cells and to analyse the small molecules they contain. In a further step, the activity of these molecules will be evaluated in order to identify the biologically active components. The knowledge gained could enable new therapeutic approaches, particularly in the field of regenerative medicine. In the final phase of the project, the focus will be on the fundamental role of these molecules in the activation and differentiation of stem cells in order to develop potential new treatment strategies.