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Markus Hartl Advancing proteomics step-by-step

On January 23, 2025, the institute seminar will take place:

January 23, 2025 / 12:00 / HS2
Markus Hartl 
Max Perutz Labs Vienna

“Advancing proteomics step-by-step”

Dr. Markus Hartl is a biologist specialized on LC-MS based proteomics and currently the head of the Mass Spectrometry Facility at Max Perutz Labs, Vienna.

Driven by a keen interest in all living things he studied Ecology and Ecological Biochemistry at the University of Vienna, followed by a PhD thesis at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena, Germany, where he discovered his passion for proteins and proteomics. As a postdoc he joined the lab of Dr. Iris Finkemeier at the LMU Munich, where he optimized the methodology for deep quantitative acetylome profiling in collaboration with the lab of Dr. Matthias Mann. 

In 2014, he was appointed as head of the Max Perutz Labs Mass Spectrometry Facility. He and his team provide comprehensive proteomics services to both internal research groups at the Perutz and external clients, including academic institutions and companies in Vienna and beyond. His research centers on optimizing proteomics workflows and on developing innovative methods to address complex biological challenges. Additionally, he is a member of the FWF SFB F70 project, focused on “HDACs as regulators of T cell-mediated immunity in health and disease”, where he contributes to advancing our understanding of the intricate regulation of T-cell mediated immunity and how it can be modulated through HDAC activity.

Boryana Petrova “Leveraging Metabolomics to Charakterize Embryonic CSF During Inflammation”

On January 16, 2025, the institute seminar will take place:

January 16, 2025 / 12:00 / HS2
Boryana Petrova
Medical University of Vienna
“Leveraging Metabolomics to Characterize Embryonic CSF During Inflammation”

Dr. Petrova is a broadly trained molecular biologist with extensive expertise in LCMS and metabolomics. Her dedication has enabled her to thrive as a metabolomics expert at prestigious institutions such as MIT and Harvard Medical School (HMS). As a postdoc at MIT, research on Drosophila oogenesis and Toxoplasma gondii drug resistance sparked her interest in metabolomics and LCMS. At Boston Children’s Hospital and HMS, as a staff scientist, she established the metabolomics mass spectrometry facility for the lab of Dr. N. Kanarek, overseeing daily operations and personnel, method development, and data analysis. Her extensive collaborations and independent research have applied metabolomics to various biological inquiries, including cancer, neuroinflammation, developmental biology and more, both in basic and clinically relevant settings. As an instructor at HMS, Dr. Petrova further focused on mentoring colleagues and students and has developed graduate-level courses on cancer metabolism and LCMS. Her commitment to teaching is further demonstrated by her roles as a lecturer at Northeastern University and the Cambridge Centre for International Research. Dr. Petrova has recently assumed the position of Director of the Research Metabolomics Core Facility at Medical University of Vienna. In this role, she aims to drive innovation in metabolomics, support collaborative research efforts, and pursue independent research initiatives.

Josef Ecker “The Gut-Liver Connection: How The Gut Microbiota Regulates Host Lipid Metabolism”

Prof. Dr. Josef Ecker, born in 1978, is a distinguished biologist specializing in lipid metabolism and its implications for health and disease. He completed his biology studies at the University of Regensburg, earning his doctorate in 2007. Following his Ph.D., he conducted research at the University of California, Berkeley, focusing on lipid metabolism.

Currently, Prof. Ecker leads the Functional Lipidomics and Metabolism Research group at the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg. His research centers on the interplay between dietary fats, gut microbiota, and systemic lipid metabolism, particularly concerning intestinal lipid absorption and its role in diseases such as cancer.

In addition to his role in Regensburg, Prof. Ecker is a principal investigator in the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1371 at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). Within this consortium, he co-leads Project P13, which investigates the impact of dietary fat and gut microbiota interactions on intestinal lipid absorption, systemic lipid metabolism, and intestinal cancer.

Prof. Ecker has an extensive publication record, with his work being cited over 3,500 times, reflecting his significant contributions to the field of lipidomics.

His research aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying lipid metabolism and its influence on health, providing insights that could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for metabolic diseases and cancer. Many thanks, Josef, for your great presentation!

Andreas Koeberle “Targeting ferroptosis and stress adaption: insights from functional multiomics”

Prof. Dr. Andreas Koeberle is a distinguished researcher specializing in the interface of inflammation, cancer, lipid metabolism, and signaling, focusing on uncovering the molecular mechanisms of natural products.

Since 2019, he has been the Head of the Michael Popp Institute at the University of Innsbruck, Austria, where he also holds the position of University Professor for new phyto entities.

He recently obtained a full professorship at the University of Graz in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Prof. Koeberle has an extensive publication record, contributing significantly to biochemistry and pharmacology.

His research aims to develop novel therapeutic strategies by exploring the bioactivity of natural compounds, particularly in the context of inflammatory diseases and cancer.

We were grateful for Andreas’ insightful presentation on the link between the membrane lipidome and ferroptosis signaling. Thank you for coming to Vienna, Andreas!

Pitfalls in Lipid Mass Spectrometry of Mammalian Samples: A Brief Guide for Biologists

A collaborative team of leading scientists, including Prof. Dr. Robert Ahrends, has published a crucial guide addressing the common pitfalls in lipid mass spectrometry analyses of mammalian samples. The paper, titled “Pitfalls in Lipid Mass Spectrometry of Mammalian Samples – A Brief Guide for Biologists,” aims to improve the accuracy of lipid data reported in scientific studies.

Click here for more: LINK to the article.

Research stay of Nina

Our group member, Nina Troppmair, is currently on a one-month research stay in the lab of Mary Teruel within the Department of Biochemistry at Weill Cornell Medicine. We are cooperating in a project focused on elucidating the role of sphingolipid synthesis in the differentiation of stem cells to adipocytes. Together with Sanjeev Sharma, Nina is conducting perturbation studies and determining the endogenous levels of various proteins, including the main transcription factor driving adipogenesis. The expertise of Mary Teruel’s group in adipogenesis, coupled with their proficiency in immunostaining and fluorescence microscopy, perfectly complements the lipidomic and proteomic analyses performed at our lab in Vienna. Our gratitude goes to the DoSChem for supporting Nina’s visit through the International Exchange Program, and especially to Mary, Sanjeev, and the entire lab for their warm welcome and great assistance during Nina’s stay.

MassSpec-Forum2024: Workshop – Lipidomics-LIFS Bioinformatics Training

The MassSpec-Forum Vienna 2024 kicked off on Wednesday, February 21st, with a morning dedicated to insightful workshops. 

The Workshop 3 on Lipidomics-LIFS Bioinformatics Training, was conducted by Dominik Kopczynski, Nils Hoffmann, and Robert Ahrends from the University of Vienna. The session, held in parallel with other workshops, focused on the intricacies of lipidomics and the application of bioinformatics tools, specifically utilizing the Lipidomics-LIFS platform. Attendees delved into advanced techniques and methodologies, gaining hands-on experience in deciphering lipid data.

This workshop not only provided a unique learning opportunity, but also showcased the commitment of MassSpec-Forum Vienna 2024 to cover diverse aspects of mass spectrometry, ensuring participants received a comprehensive education in this dynamic field. The event’s emphasis on practical training and engagement set a tone for the subsequent days of the conference.

Photos by David Loibnegger and Claude Molitor

68th Annual GTH Meeting 2024

The 68th Annual Meeting of the GTH 2024 took place from February 27 to March 01 in Vienna under the theme “Building Bridges in Coagulation.”

The conference venue was the Hofburg, beautifully arranged for the occasion. The central focus of the conference was on thrombosis and hemostasis (GTH).

The talks featured a combination of invited international speakers, primarily doctors engaged in research presenting study results and updates on ongoing research, and young researchers, mainly PhDs in the medical field aspiring to become doctors. Also Bianca de Jonckheere, the PhD in the working group Lipidomics at the University of Vienna, presented her Megakaryocytes Project. Additionally, there were symposia from industry partners interspersed throughout the conference.

During breaks, attendees could enjoy snacks and coffee in the Vendor Hall, where a noticeable emphasis on sustainability was observed. Recyclable materials were used. The networking dinner kicked off with a champagne reception, followed by a one-hour exploration of the Weltmuseum and concluded with a meal accompanied by a dance performance reminiscent of a classical Viennese ball.

Pic by Robert Ahrends