Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

Effect-based environmental research

A main research field in many research facilities is related to metabolome characterization. Metabolome analysis is based on the investigation of various small molecules with a virtually unlimited range of different (physicochemical) properties. In our group, we aim for the development of analytical methods for the analysis of anionic and cationic metabolites originating from different organisms or cell cultures, using different strategies to ensure that maximum information is acquired: in targeted metabolome analysis, we directly investigate changes in the concentration of e.g. amino acids or substances related to the organismic response to xenobiotics.

Our general approach in metabolite analysis is to understand this response on the metabolome level and the direct correlation between analytical data and the impact on the respective organism. Currently, we investigate to which extent the impact of pesticides on organisms like chironomids or fungi is altered if they are adsorbed onto nano-particles.

To enhance the range of analytical methods utilized for metabolome analysis, we develop cooperative works with partners in the field of sensor analysis. Here, biological effects e.g. related to the molecular recognition of nuclear receptors are registered, followed by the correlation of structural binding motifs in order to identify compounds with high relevance for ecotoxicological questions.

Publications:

1. Nano-sized zeolites as modulators of thiacloprid toxicity on Chironomus riparius
C. S. Lorenz, A. J. Wicht, L. Guluzada, B. Crone, U. Karst, H. J. Lee, R. Triebskorn, S. B. Haderlein, C. Huhn, H. R. Köhler, Peer J. 2017, 18, 5:e352

2. Nano-sized Al2O3 reduces acute toxic effects of thiacloprid on the non-biting midge Chironomus riparius
C. S. Lorenz, A.-J. Wicht, L. Guluzada, L. Luo, L. Jäger, B. Crone, Uwe Karst, R. Triebskorn, Y. Liang, R. Anwander, S. B. Haderlein, C. Huhn, H.-R. Köhler, PLoS ONE 2017, 12, e0176356

Cooperations:

  • Heinz Köhler, Biology, Tübingen University
  • Sandra Dietz, Biology, Tübingen University
  • Biametrics, Tübingen
  • Günter Gauglitz, Analytical Chemistry, Tübingen University

Projects: