Experimental Cell Genetics Group 
1. Overview on our research topics
Research profile:
The main function of mature T cells is to recognize and respond to foreign antigens by a complex activation process involving differentiation of the resting cell to a proliferating lymphoblasts actively secreting immunoregulatory lymphokines or displaying targeted cytotoxicity, ultimately leading to recruitment of other cell types and initiation of an effective immune response.
In order to understand the physiology and pathophysiology of T lymphocytes, it is necessary to decode the biochemical processes that integrate signals from antigen, cytokine, integrin and death receptors. The principal upon which our work is based is to explore and identify gene products of the AGC family of protein serine/threonine kinases as key players mediating cell growth regulation. The underlying goal of the work is to understand their selective functions in signal transduction pathways in lymphocytes and to use this information to develop strategies to manipulate the immune response, either for immunosuppression in autoimmune diseases, graft rejection as well as the inflammatory response or for augmentation in cancer. To achieve these aims we apply modern biochemical, molecular, cellular and mouse genetic approaches.
The major research topic of the group of G. Baier relates to the biochemical, molecular and functional analysis of signal transducing AGC-protein S/T kinases within the haematopoietic system, i.e. the functional analysis of essential protein kinase A, B & C isotype functions.
To see the animation please click on the cartoon above
2. Detaillierte Projektbeschreibungen / Details on our projects
Altana Pharma Industrie-Kooperation, 4/1997 bis min. 9/2005: „T-cell expressed PKCtheta, target recognition and target validation“
FWF-P16229-B07, 2/2003 bis 1/2006: „Physiological roles of PKCalpha and PKCtheta in primary T cells“
FWF-SFBF021, 1/2004 bis 12/2007: “Molecular mechanisms regulating homeostasis in normal and malignant lymphocytes“(Koord. L. Huber, P. Jansen-Dürr & G. Baier)
Tiroler Zukunftsstiftung/ Zusatzförderung des SFBF021, 1/2004 bis 12/2005: “Integrative analysis of two distinct T-cell activation concepts: Integrin mediated cell adhesion & cell survival“
3. Mitarbeiter / Staff
The scientists working on these signal transduction mechanisms are: A.Univ.Prof. Dr. G. Baier, Dr. C. Pfeifhofer, Dr. C. Lutz, Dr. N. Hermann, Dr. T. Gruber, Mag. N. Thuille, Mag. T Letschka and MTA Nina Krumböck.
4. Lehrveranstaltungen / Teaching
503135 Bausteine des Lebens II (Medizinische Biologie) PR 1 Baier Gottfried et al.
507130 Molekulare Zellbiologie I "Differentiation" VO 2 Baier Gottfried et al.
507131 Molekulare Zellbiologie II „Signal transduction“ VO2 Baier Gottfried et al.
503021 Wiss. Arbeiten für Fortgeschrittene PV 10 Baier Gottfried
507138 Aberrant signal transduction in disease VO 1 Baier Gottfried
507139 Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics SE 1 Baier Gottfried
507141 Gene Therapy - Fact or Fiction VO 1 Baier Gottfried & Bonatti Johannes
507158 Yeast 2 Hybrid Technology VU 1 Baier Gottfried
507140 Se. in wissenschaftlichen Arbeiten - Betreuerseminar SE 2 Baier Gottfried
5. Publikationsliste / List of publications
Key references in 2002 & 2003:
Baier G, “ The PKC gene module: Molecular BioSystematics to resolve its T cell functions“ Immunol. Rev. 2003; T cell issue Vol. 192, 64-79.
Pfeifhofer C, Kofler K, Gruber T, Ghaffari-Tabrizi N, Lutz C, Maly K, Leitges T & Baier G, “Protein kinase C theta affects Ca2+ mobilization and NFAT activation in primary mouse T cells. J Exp Med. 2003 Jun 2;197(11):1525-35.
Hara H, Wada T, Bakal C, Kozieradzki I, Suzuki S, Suzuki N, Nghiem M, Griffiths EK, Krawczyk C, Bauer B, D'Acquisto F, Ghosh S, Yeh WC, Baier G, Rottapel R, Penninger JM. „The MAGUK Family Protein CARD11 Is Essential for Lymphocyte Activation“, Immunity. 2003 Jun;18(6):763-75.
Lutz, C., Enzinger, C., Nimpf, J., Jenny, M., Utermann, G, Baier-Bitterlich G and Baier G. “Evidence of modulation of the MEKK/JNK/cJun signaling cascade by the low-density lipoprotein-receptor related protein (LRP) in intact cells”, J. Biol Chem 2002 Nov 8;277(45):43143-43151.
Kofler K, Erdel M, Utermann G, Baier G, „Molecular genetics and structural genomics of the human Protein Kinase C Gene Module", Genome Biol. 2002;3(3):RESEARCH0014.
6. Offene Stellen / Open positions
We are always seaking talented and enthusiastic students (Diploma thesis, PhD thesis and MD thesis). Qualified applicants are invited to apply anytime.
7. Dissertationen / Diplomarbeiten
Doctoral thesis / undergraduate studies
Doctoral Theses(under my guidance and supervison):
9/1994-4/1997: "ApoE, APP und Alzheimer´sche Krankheit - potentielle Rolle des Apolipoprotein E im Amyloid Precursor-Protein Metabolismus" by Frau Dipl.-Biologin Silke Haß
7/1994-6/1997: „Analyse des Aktivierungsmechanismus von PKC-theta in humanen Jurkat T-Lymphozyten“ by Mag.rer.nat Birgit Bauer
11/1998-12/2002: „Studies on the PKC gene module, especially on the PKC-theta gene and ist function in T-Lymphozyten“ by Mag. rer. nat. Kurt Kofler
10/1999-12/2002: “Evidence of functional modulation of the MEKK/JNK/cJun signaling cascade by the low-density lipoprotein-receptor related protein” by Mag. MTA Christina Lutz (awarded with the Aventis Price 2002)
12/1999-4/2003„PKC-theta affects Ca2+ mobilization and NF-AT activation in primary mouse T cells”, by Mag.rer.nat MTA Christa Pfeifhofer (awarded with the Aventis Price 2003)
11/2000-1/2004: “Studies on the physiological roles of distinct protein kinase C isotypes in T cell signaling employing the gene knockout strategy”, by Mag.rer.nat Thomas Gruber
8. Forschungsförderung / Research grants
Current Major Research Grants and Awards:
EU-EuroGendis (Marie Curie Training Site) EUROLIFE project EC5/Quality of Life
Altanapharma Industrie-Kooperation, 10/2003 bis 9/2005: "T-cell expressed PKCtheta, target recognition and target evaluation“
FWF-Forschungsgrant P16229-B07, 2/2003 bis 1/2006: "Physiological roles of PKCalpha and PKCtheta in primary T cells"
FWF-Forschungsgrant SFBF021, 1/2004 bis 12/2007: "Molecular mechanisms regulating homeostasis in normal and malignant lymphocytes"
9. Kooperationen / Collaborations
International collaborations
Dr. Michael Leitges, MPI for Nephrology, Hannover, Germany
Dr. Waldemar Kolanus, University of Bonn, Germany
Dr. Amnon Altman, LIAI, San Diego, US
Altana Industrie, Konstanz, BRD
Novartis, Basel, CH
