Profile
Abstract
The Edlich lab studies the cellular and molecular causes of diseases in animals and humans. We identify and characterize proteins and enzymes that regulate apoptosis, the most common form of cell death. Dysregulated apoptosis in homeostasis can cause tumors, neurodegenerative diseases, and autoimmune diseases. Mechanistic insights into the apoptosis programme help to understand developmental processes and pathological changes and to develop therapeutic strategies. Therefore, we research molecular processes and links to clinical applications. Our research has already led to a paradigm shift in the understanding of the regulation of mitochondrial apoptosis with the discovery of BAX retrotranslocation. Our work includes biochemical, molecular biology, and biophysical approaches.
Professional career
- since 02/2021
Professor of Biochemistry (Chair) and Managing Director of the Veterinary-Physiological-Chemical Institute, University of Leipzig, Germany - 05/2016 - 01/2021
DFG-Heisenberg Research fellow, Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Freiburg, Germany - 06/2011
DFG-Emmy Noether Research fellow, Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Freiburg, Germany - 01/2008 - 05/2011
Post-Doctoral fellow, Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institutes of Health (NIH),NINDS, Bethesda, MD, USA - 03/2006 - 12/2007
Post-Doctoral fellow, Max-Planck-research unit „Enzymology of Protein Folding“, Halle/Saale, Germany
Education
- 09/2002 - 02/2006
Doctoral Research, Max-Planck-research unit „Enzymology of Protein Folding“in Halle/Saale, Germany; Doctor rerum naturalium
- show detailsConformational change-dependent formation of active BAX complexes in mammalian cellsEdlich, FrankDuration: 09/2022 – 09/2025Funded by: DFG Deutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftInvolved organisational units of Leipzig University: Veterinär-Physiologisch-Chemisches Institut
- show detailsAnalysis of the therapy-induced apoptosis predisposition in peripheral blood cells of patients with hepatocellular carcinomaBerg, ThomasDuration: 01/2022 – ongoingFunded by: Haushaltsmittel (TG51, Overhead)Involved organisational units of Leipzig University: Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik - Onkologie, Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie, Pneumologie und Infektiologie (II); Veterinär-Physiologisch-Chemisches Institut
- show detailsDarweesh, O.; Al-Shehri, E.; Falquez, H.; Lauterwasser, J.; Edlich, F.; Patel, R.Identification of a novel Bax-Cdk1 signalling complex that links activation of the mitotic checkpoint to apoptosisJournal of cell science. 2021. 134 (8).DOI: 10.1242/jcs.244152
- show detailsLauterwasser, J.; Fimm-Todt, F.; Oelgeklaus, A.; Schreiner, A.; Funk, K.; Falquez, H.; Klesse, R.; Jahreis, G.; Zerbes, R. M.; O'Neil, K.; van der Laan, M.; Luo, X.; Edlich, F.Hexokinases inhibit death receptor-dependent apoptosis on the mitochondriaProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2021. 118 (33).
- show detailsSchöniger, A.; Wolf, P.; Edlich, F.How Do Hexokinases Inhibit Receptor-Mediated Apoptosis?Biology. 2022. 11 (3).
- show detailsKontchou, C. W.; Gentle, I. E.; Weber, A.; Schöniger, A.; Edlich, F.; Haecker, G.Chlamydia trachomatis inhibits apoptosis in infected cells by targeting the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and BakCell death and differentiation. 2022. pp. 2046–2059.
- show detailsWolf, P.; Schöniger, A.; Edlich, F.Pro-apoptotic complexes of BAX and BAK on the outer mitochondrial membraneBiochimica et biophysica acta. 2022. 1869 (10).