Collaborative Research Centre, Essen-Lübeck-Berlin
Funding
Funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) - Project-ID 424957847 - TRR 296
Website
Contact
Spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Dr. med. Dagmar Führer-Sakel
Coordination: Dr. Lydia Borgelt
Description / aims
The research of the Collaborative Research Centre/Transregio LOCOTACT is based on the observation that the tissue-specific thyroid hormone (TH) effect cannot necessarily be derived from the TH serum concentration. Consequently, LOCOTACT investigates the local control of thyroid hormone action in the target organs brain, heart, and liver. The interdisciplinary consortium of scientists from the University of Duisburg-Essen, Universität zu Lübeck, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, LMU Munich, Helmholtz Munich, ISAS Dortmund, and Leipzig University combines basic and clinical research. The CRC benefits from innovative technologies such as hiPSC-generated cell systems and organoids, globally unique mouse models, and relevant patient cohorts.
LOCOTACT aims to study the macromolecules that influence organ homeostasis and to elucidate the mechanisms that control tissue- and cell-specific modulation of TH action. Examples of cellular components under investigation are TH transporters, deiodinases and TH receptors. Several prevalent acquired diseases (e.g. stroke, ischemic heart disease and fatty liver) and rare genetic disorders (e.g. Allan-Herndon-Dudley Syndrome) are influenced by local thyroid hormone action and are therefore of particular interest for LOCOTACT. The CRC/TR 296 researches disease mechanisms and ultimately aims to explore and improve treatment perspectives for patients.