We are a group of
enthusiastic scientists, positioned at the Rudolf Virchow Center and the
Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Würzburg in
Germany. We are funded by the
Emmy Noether Programme of DFG and the
University of
Würzburg.
We are investigating the
interaction between bacterial toxins, especially from the group of the
cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (e.g. Streptococcus pneumoniae's
pneumolysin) on the central nervous system
and especially on synaptic function and synaptic development. We try to
clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying these changes, especially the
ones related with neuronal cytoskeletal reorganization.
Why do we do this?
These findings are directly
relevant and contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of
bacterial meningitis, especially
Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis,
which is the most common form of the disease. It leads to lethal outcome in
30% of the patients and other 30% remain with residual neurological
complaints. (see
more (external))
