On Thursday (09.07) we will host Prof. Dr. Ewa Gurgul-Convey (Group leader Biochemistry of inflammation, Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School (MHH), who will deliver the lecture entitled: "The seasaw of sphingolipids in pancreatic beta-cells". The seminar will take place at 3 p.m. in the CN lecture hall and will be followed by a get together.

Abstract
Sphingolipids are a large lipid family composed of a sphingosine backbone with various head groups, which are biosynthesized in the ER typically from palmitate and L-serine. The biosynthesis and metabolism of sphingolipids are both strongly regulated by multiple factors, including proinflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress and the metabolic status of the cell. Accumulating evidence demonstrates the aberrant expression of sphingolipid pathway enzymes in patients suffering from various forms of diabetes. Accordingly, recent advances suggest an important role of sphingolipid disturbances in the development of diabetes. My research focuses on characterization of the impact of sphingolipid fluctuations in pancreatic beta-cells during diabetes course. We study the role of various sphingolipids in organelle stress, insulin secretion and cell death of beta-cells. I will talk about the contribution of disturbances of the sphingolipid metabolism flow to pancreatic beta-cell failure in type 1 and in type 2 diabetes.