Dr. Falko Lange

Modeling signal transduction in pancreatic cells
"My main research focus is on intracellular signalling processes in pancreatic cells."

Last decades some signaling pathways that are key players in the development of pancreatic cancer and its related fibrosis were characterized but are until now not fully understood on molecular level. Our project combines quantitative cell biology with mathematical modeling to investigate signaling pathways in these diseases. With our interdisciplinary research approach we want to address different basic questions: Which are rate limiting steps in signaling cascades? Play cross interactions with other pathways an important role? Are there sensitive parameters in the model which can be considered as candidates for new therapies? The predictions by our mathematical models lead to the design of refined experiments which improves the understanding of diseases and helps to develop therapies. For example, the temporal concentration profile of a stimulus can form the basis for the treatment of a disease.