PhD Lic. Melina Amor

My name is Melina and I joined the Bogner-Strauss group at the beginning of 2017. The project that I am currently working on deals with the investigation of matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP12) as a target for obesity associated metabolic and cardiovascular complications. I often apply a variety of basic methods (e.g. western blot, molecular cloning, qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry), cell culture techniques and animal experiments.

Katharina Huber, MSc

My name is Katharina and I joined the Bogner-Strauss lab in October 2014. I am interested in the regulation of cellular metabolism and my research is focused on defining the role of N-acetyltransferase 8-like (Nat8l) in energy metabolism and autophagy. My technical expertise ranges from routine techniques (e.g. molecular cloning, Western blot, RNA isolation, qRT-PCR), over cell culture techniques (e.g. transfection, primary adipocyte and stroma vascular cell isolation), to metabolite analysis (MS, NMR), mouse handling experiments, flow cytometry, and fluorescence microscopy.

Wenmin Xia, MSc

Jürgen Novak

My name is Jürgen, I am studying Biomedical Engineering at the Graz University of Technology and accomplish my master thesis in the Bogner-Strauss Lab. My project deals with lipid metabolism, particularly with the role of alpha/beta hydrolase domain-containing protein 15 (ABHD15) in brown adipocyte differentiation and metabolism. For me this is a great opportunity to acquire practical as well as theoretical knowledge about lipid metabolism and laboratory skills. I am working with methods like Western Blot, qPCR and cell culture techniques.

Dipl.-Ing. Dina Hofer

My research focus lies on the elucidation of genes involved in adipocyte development and energy metabolism. In my projects, I investigate the peroxisomal impact on adipocyte metabolism and development using in vitro techniques, and characterize transgenic mouse models with regard to genetic regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism in brown adipose tissue. My technical experiences range from basic techniques (e.g. molecular cloning, Western blot, Luciferase assays) over cell culture techniques (e.g. transfection, in-vitro differentiation) to mouse handling and experiments (e.g. GTT, ITT).

Katharina Küntzel

Dr. Ariane Pessentheiner

I focus in my projects on the elucidation of genes that are involved in adipogenesis and energy metabolism. In this way I use in vitro techniques to study the function of  genes and characterize different mouse models in regard to glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism. My technical expertise ranges from basic techniques (e.g. molecular cloning, ELISA, Western blot) over cell culture of various cell lines (e.g. brown and white adipogenic models) to mouse handling and experiments (e.g. GTT, ITT, ex vivo lipolysis).

Publications

Bernhard Gadermaier

Currently I am conducting my Master´s thesis at the Lab of Prof. J. Bogner-Strauß supervised by Dr. Ariane Pessentheiner in the field of adipogenesis and energy metabolism. I study a protein involved in the adipogenesis of white adipocytes. By silencing, over expression as well as protein purification I try to characterize this protein further. By this I gathered experience in cell culture techniques (e.g. transfection, in-vitro differentiation), biochemical methods (westerns, protein purification...) and molecular cloning.

Andreas Prokesch, Dr. techn.

Evelyn Walenta, MSc. PhD