prof. dr. K. (Kathrin) Thedieck
Research interests
Prof.Dr. Kathrin Thedieck joined the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) and Oldenburg University in 2013 in the frame of the European Medical School (EMS). In 2019, Kathrin Thedieck became full professor and institute head for Biochemistry at Innsbruck University in Austria. She continues to be affiliated and conducts research and teaching at all three institutions.
The Lab for Metabolic Signaling
studies the control of metabolic homeostasis through kinase
signaling networks converging on the metabolic master regulator
mTOR (mammalian / mechanistic target of rapamycin) in health and
disease.
We adopt biochemistry, cell biology, proteomics, metabolomics and
systems modelling approaches.
mTOR is a central controller of metabolism and ageing. mTOR is
dysregulated in most cancers as well as in metabolic,
neurodegenerative and congenital disorders, and is therefore of
major biomedical interest as a drug target and biomarker. The
protein kinase mTOR is at the center of a complex signaling and
metabolic network, and exists in two structurally and functionally
distinct multiprotein complexes, mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and
mTORC2. In response to growth factors, nutrients, energy and
stress, mTORC1 enhances anabolic processes such as translation, and
represses catabolic processes such as autophagy. mTORC2 is a
central metabolic regulator as well which is for instance involved
in lipid and glucose homeostasis.
mTOR controls virtually all metabolic processes at the cellular and
organismal level. But how are specific metabolic responses to
distinct metabolic inputs achieved? The complex wiring of signaling
networks allows to link distinct metabolic stimuli with specific
metabolic responses. Our lab aims to identify novel network
components and to delineate their interconnection in relation to
mTOR’s metabolic inputs and outputs. To this end, we analyze
its interactome and ancillary signaling and metabolic networks by
ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry, including targeted, shotgun
and fluxomic proteomic and metabolomic methods. To deal with mTOR
network complexity, we adopt systems approaches to unravel novel
regulatory connections. We functionally characterize novel
regulators and effectors by means of biochemistry and cell biology
in in vitro and in vivo models as well as in human samples.
Read further on the website of the Lab for Metabolic Signaling.