Department of Molecular Physiology

University of Heidelberg

Institute of Zoology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany

 
Preliminary homepage

 
We have started the department in October 2002 and are currently in the process of setting up research and teaching facilities.
 
Group members: Dr. Hiroshi Kaneko (h.kaneko@zoo.uni-heidelberg.de)
Research interest: Olfactory signal transduction
Expertise: Fluorescence spectroscopy, Electrophysiology
 
Daniel Gilbert, PhD student (d.gilbert@zoo.uni-heidelberg.de)
Research interest: Pain signal transduction
Expertise: Electrophysiology, Lab automation systems
 
Gabriele Günther (g.guenther@zoo.uni-heidelberg.de)
Technical assistant
Expertise: Cell culture, DNA techniques
 
Prof. Stephan Frings (s.frings@zoo.uni-heidelberg.de)
Research interests: Sensory signal transduction
Expertise: Electrophysiology

 
Research:
 
We are working on several aspects of sensory transduction and investigate molecular mechanisms used by sensory neurons use to translate external stimuli into the electrical signals the brain needs to interpret the outer world.
 
We study proteins that are involved in the transduction process, and we are particularly interested in ion channels. Our lab work is, therefore, mainly electrophysiology (patch clamp), fluorescence imaging and immunohistochemistry. We use these techniques to study the function of ion channels and their expression patterns in sensory neurons. Our current focus is on olfactory sensory neurons and in nociceptors, the sensory neurons that mediate the perception of pain.

 
Teaching:
Lectures:
  • WS 2002/03: Grundvorlesung Biologie (16.01.03-11.02.03)
  • SS 2003: Zyklusvorlesung "Sinnesphysiologie - vom Molekül zum Verhalten"
Seminars:
  • WS 2002/03: Signaltransduction in sensory neurons
  • SS 2003: Basic skills in lab automation
  • GS + HS Infos
  • GS + HS, Information will soon be accessible here: Labautomation
Praktika:
  • SS 2003: GP-C4, animal physiology
  • SS 2003: GP-D, molecular physiology

  • WS 2003/04: HP, experimental neurophysiology
  • GS, 28.04 - 6.5.03, R21, ZI
  • GS, Information will soon be accessible here: Molekulare Physiologie
  • GS, Information will be accessible here: Student lab
Contact: s.frings@zoo.uni-heidelberg.de, Tel.: 06221-54-5661 Homepage Stephan Frings 17.12.03