Talk:TRACT

Open position - unique opportunities

• In cancer metabolism, the importance of aerobic glycolysis and lactate accumulation is well established, and so is the pathophysiological relevance of hypoxia. Too little is known, however, about the effects of extracellular and intracellular pH on mitochondrial respiratory control. We have preliminary data that suggest opposite effects of pH on mitochondrial respiration in cancer versus benign cells, and the TRACT project should follow-up on this exciting topic.

• We have two labs (Oroboros with 16 O2k instruments, and our lab at the Medical University with 8 O2k instruments), all equipped with the newest High-Resolution FluoRespirometry technology. Two labs – one team: fully interacting across the two labs, with visiting scientists joining us from all-over the world, gaining from and contributing to our expertise in Mitochondria and Cell Research. In our team not only the technological skills are taught and developed in mitochondrial physiology, we emphasize a top-level education in the fundamental theoretical basis of bioenergetics (The blue book; my EBEC abstract).

• We are upgrading our team from August to September with four additional postdocs, who will contribute to the vibrating research atmosphere in our lab.

• You will have access to our most recently developed and tested instrumental equipment.

• The EBEC abstract by Timi gives some insights into the Q-sensor integrated into a new type of O2k. It has not yet been applied in cancer research. Redox regulation at the Q-junction fits perfectly the topic of the effects of pH and hypoxia on respiration and ROS production.
• The EBEC abstract by Andras demonstrates our new software development for analysis of oxygen kinetics of mitochondrial respiration. Our measurements at the extremes of low oxygen towards anoxia are technologically unique and the method has now evolved into an easily applicable routine procedure. Using our more difficult software approach developed more than 20 years ago, we published a few papers on oxygen kinetics in cancer cells (see below). This can now be followed up with a fast way to obtain data relevant to evaluate cancer metabolism.

• Kristiansen_2011_J Biol Chem
• Smolkova_2010_J Bioenerg Biomembr

• We proceed with prototype development for integrating measurements of NADH autofluorescence, cytochrome redox spectrophotometry, and ratiometric spectrofluorometry into our NextGen-O2k. Four NextGen-O2k prototypes are available in our lab but nowhere else in the world. Adding some measurements of NADH redox state to the above parameters respiration, ROS production, Q-redox state and mt-membrane potential yields a powerful analysis of mitochondrial respiratory states and rates, with good chances of high-level publication.
• Collaboration with the group of Markus Keller is planned to be continued, fusing his advanced technique on cardiolipin analysis with our O2k technology.

• Oemer_2018_Proc Nat Acad Sci U S A

• TRACT supports participation in international conferences and outreach activities. We want to draw your attention to the next MitoEAGLE and MiPschool, where students are fully supported by MitoEAGLE:

• MiPschool_Tromso-Bergen_2018

Erich Gnaiger, Innsbruck, 2018-06-14