@phdthesis{Adenugba2021,
  author    = {Adenugba, Akinbami Raphael},
  title     = {Functional analysis of the gene organization of the pneumoviral attachment protein G},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-12814},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-128146},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {The putative attachment protein G of pneumonia virus of mice (PVM), a member of the Pneumoviruses, is an important virulence factor with so far ambiguous function in a virus-cell as well as in virus-host context. The sequence of the corresponding G gene is characterized by significant heterogeneity between and even within strains, affecting the gene and possibly the protein structure. This accounts in particular for the PVM strain J3666 for which two differing G gene organizations have been described: a polymorphism in nucleotide 65 of the G gene results in the presence of an upstream open reading frame (uORF) that precedes the main ORF in frame (GJ366665A) or extension of the major G ORF for 18 codons (GJ366665U). Therefore, this study was designed to analyse the impact of the sequence variations in the respective G genes of PVM strains J3666 and the reference strain 15 on protein expression, replication and virulence. First, the controversy regarding the consensus sequence of PVM J3666 was resolved. The analysis of 45 distinct cloned fragments showed that the strain separated into two distinct virus populations defined by the sequence and structure of the G gene. This division was further supported by nucleotide polymorphisms in the neighbouring M and SH genes. Sequential passage of this mixed strain in the cell line standardly used for propagation of virus stocks resulted in selection for the GJ366665A-containing population in one of two experiments pointing towards a moderate replicative advantage. The replacement of the G gene of the recombinant PVM 15 with GJ366665A or GJ366665U, respectively, using a reverse genetic approach indicated that the presence of uORF within the GJ366665A significantly reduced the expression of the main G ORF on translational level while the potential extension of the ORF in GJ366665U increased G protein expression. In comparison, the effect of the G gene-structure on virus replication was inconsistent and dependent on cell line and type. While the presence of uORF correlated with a replication advantage in the standardly used BHK-21 cells and primary murine embryonic fibroblasts, replication in the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 did not. In comparison, the GJ366665U variant was not associated with any effect on replication in cultured cells at all. Nonetheless, in-vivo analysis of the recombinant viruses associated the GJ366665U gene variant, and hence an increased G expression, with higher virulence whereas the GJ366665A gene, and therefore an impaired G expression, conferred an attenuated phenotype to the virus. To extend the study to other G gene organizations, a recombinant PVM expressing a G protein without the cytoplasmic domain and for comparison a G-deletion mutant, both known to be attenuated in vivo, were studied. Not noticed before, this structure of the G gene was associated with a 75\% reduction in G protein expression and a significant attenuation of replication in macrophage-like cells. This attenuation was even more prominent for the virus lacking G. Taking into consideration the higher reduction in G protein levels compared to the GJ366665A variant indicates that a threshold amount of G is required for efficient replication in these cells. In conclusion, the results gathered indicated that the expression levels of the G protein were modulated by the sequence of the 5' untranslated region of the gene. At the same time the G protein levels modulated the virulence of PVM.},
  subject      = {G glycoprotein},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Adler2021,
  author    = {Adler, Florian Rudolf},
  title     = {Electronic Correlations in Two-dimensional Triangular Adatom Lattices},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-24175},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-241758},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Two-dimensional triangular lattices of group IV adatoms on semiconductor substrates provide a rich playground for the investigation of Mott-Hubbard physics. The possibility to combine various types of adatoms and substrates makes members of this material class versatile model systems to study the influence of correlation strength, band filling and spin-orbit coupling on the electronic structure - both experimentally and with dedicated many-body calculation techniques. The latter predict exotic ground states such as chiral superconductivity or spin liquid behavior for these frustrated lattices, however, experimental confirmation is still lacking. In this work, three different systems, namely the \(\alpha\)-phases of Sn/SiC(0001), Pb/Si(111), and potassium-doped Sn/Si(111) are investigated with scanning tunneling microscopy and photoemission spectroscopy in this regard. The results are potentially relevant for spintronic applications or quantum computing. For the novel group IV triangular lattice Sn/SiC(0001), a combined experimental and theoretical study reveals that the system features surprisingly strong electronic correlations because they are boosted by the substrate through its partly ionic character and weak screening capabilities. Interestingly, the spectral function, measured for the first time via angle-resolved photoemission, does not show any additional superstructure beyond the intrinsic \(\sqrt{3} \times \sqrt{3} R30^{\circ}\) reconstruction, thereby raising curiosity regarding the ground-state spin pattern. For Pb/Si(111), preceding studies have noted a phase transition of the surface reconstruction from \(\sqrt{3} \times \sqrt{3} R30^{\circ}\) to \(3 \times 3\) at 86 K. In this thesis, investigations of the low-temperature phase with high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy unveil the formation of a charge-ordered ground state. It is disentangled from a concomitant structural rearrangement which is found to be 2-up/1-down, in contrast to previous predictions. Applying an extended variational cluster approach, a phase diagram of local and nonlocal Coulomb interactions is mapped out. Based on a comparison of theoretical spectral functions with scattering vectors found via quasiparticle interference, Pb/Si(111) is placed in said phase diagram and electronic correlations are found to be the driving force of the charge-ordered state. In order to realize a doped Mott insulator in a frustrated geometry, potassium was evaporated onto the well-known correlated Sn/Si(111) system. Instead of the expected insulator-to-metal transition, scanning tunneling spectroscopy data indicates that the electronic structure of Sn/Si(111) is only affected locally around potassium atoms while a metallization is suppressed. The potassium atoms were found to be adsorbed on empty \(T_4\) sites of the substrate which eventually leads to the formation of two types of K-Sn alloys with a relative potassium content of 1/3 and 1/2, respectively. Complementary measurements of the spectral function via angle-resolved photoemission reveal that the lower Hubbard band of Sn/Si(111) gradually changes its shape upon potassium deposition. Once the tin and potassium portion on the surface are equal, this evolution is complete and the system can be described as a band insulator without the need to include Coulomb interactions.},
  subject      = {Rastertunnelmikroskopie},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Altrichter2021,
  author    = {Altrichter, Steffen},
  title     = {Labeling approaches for functional analyses of adhesion G protein-coupled receptors},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-20706},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-207068},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {The superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) comprises more than 800 members, which are divided into five families based on phylogenetic analyses (GRAFS classification): Glutamate, Rhodopsin, Adhesion, Frizzled/Taste2 and Secretin. The adhesion G protein-coupled receptor (aGPCR) family forms with 33 homologs in Mammalia the second largest and least investigated family of GPCRs. The general architecture of an aGPCR comprises the GPCR characteristics of an extracellular region (ECR), a seven transmembrane (7TM) domain and an intracellular region (ICR). A special feature of aGPCRs is the extraordinary size of the ECR through which they interact with cellular and matricellular ligands via adhesion motif folds. In addition, the ECR contains a so-called GPCR autoproteolysis-inducing (GAIN) domain, which catalyzes autoproteolytic cleavage of the protein during maturation. This cleavage leads to the formation of an N-terminal (NTF) and a C-terminal fragment (CTF), which build a unit by means of hydrophobic interactions and therefore appear as a heterodimeric receptor at the cell surface. In the past, it has been shown that the first few amino acids of the CTF act as a tethered agonist (TA) that mediates the activation of the receptor through the interaction with the 7TM domain. However, the molecular mechanism promoting the TA-7TM domain interaction remains elusive. This work reveals a novel molecular mechanism that does not require the dissociation of the NTF-CTF complex to promote release of the TA and thus activation of the aGPCR. The introduction of bioorthogonal labels into receptorsignaling- relevant regions of the TA of various aGPCRs demonstrated that the TA is freely accessible within the intact GAIN domain. This suggests a structural flexibility of the GAIN domain, which allows a receptor activation independent of the NTF-CTF dissociation, as found in cleavage-deficient aGPCR variants. Furthermore, the present study shows that the cellular localization and the conformation of the 7TM domain depends on the activity state of the aGPCR, which in turn indicates that the TA mediates conformational changes through the interaction with the 7TM domain, which ultimately regulates the receptor activity. In addition, biochemical analyses showed that the GAIN domain-mediated autoproteolysis of the human aGPCR CD97 (ADGRE5/E5) promotes further cleavage events within the receptor. This suggests that aGPCRs undergo cleavage cascades, which are initialized by the autoproteolytic reaction of the GAIN domain. Thus, it can be assumed that aGPCRs are subject to additional proteolytic events. Finally, the constitutive internalization of the NTF and the CTF of E5 was demonstrated by various labeling methods. It was possible to label both fragments independently and to follow their subcellular location in vitro. In summary, these obtained results contribute to a better understanding about the molecular mechanisms of activity and signaling of aGPCRs.},
  subject      = {G-Protein gekoppelter Rezeptor},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Andreska2021,
  author    = {Andreska, Thomas},
  title     = {Effects of dopamine on BDNF / TrkB mediated signaling and plasticity on cortico-striatal synapses},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-17431},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-174317},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Progressive loss of voluntary movement control is the central symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). Even today, we are not yet able to cure PD. This is mainly due to a lack of understanding the mechanisms of movement control, network activity and plasticity in motor circuits, in particular between the cerebral cortex and the striatum. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has emerged as one of the most important factors for the development and survival of neurons, as well as for synaptic plasticity. It is thus an important target for the development of new therapeutic strategies against neurodegenerative diseases. Together with its receptor, the Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), it is critically involved in development and function of the striatum. Nevertheless, little is known about the localization of BDNF within presynaptic terminals in the striatum, as well as the types of neurons that produce BDNF in the cerebral cortex. Furthermore, the influence of midbrain derived dopamine on the control of BDNF / TrkB interaction in striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) remains elusive so far. Dopamine, however, appears to play an important role, as its absence leads to drastic changes in striatal synaptic plasticity. This suggests that dopamine could regulate synaptic activity in the striatum via modulation of BDNF / TrkB function. To answer these questions, we have developed a sensitive and reliable protocol for the immunohistochemical detection of endogenous BDNF. We find that the majority of striatal BDNF is provided by glutamatergic, cortex derived afferents and not dopaminergic inputs from the midbrain. In fact, we found BDNF in cell bodies of neurons in layers II-III and V of the primary and secondary motor cortex as well as layer V of the somatosensory cortex. These are the brain areas that send dense projections to the dorsolateral striatum for control of voluntary movement. Furthermore, we could show that these projection neurons significantly downregulate the expression of BDNF during the juvenile development of mice between 3 and 12 weeks. In parallel, we found a modulatory effect of dopamine on the translocation of TrkB to the cell surface in postsynaptic striatal Medium Spiny Neurons (MSNs). In MSNs of the direct pathway (dMSNs), which express dopamine receptor 1 (DRD1), we observed the formation of TrkB aggregates in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) model of PD. This suggests that DRD1 activity controls TrkB surface expression in these neurons. In contrast, we found that DRD2 activation has opposite effects in MSNs of the indirect pathway (iMSNs). Activation of DRD2 promotes a rapid decrease in TrkB surface expression which was reversible and depended on cAMP. In parallel, stimulation of DRD2 led to induction of phospho-TrkB (pTrkB). This effect was significantly slower than the effect on TrkB surface expression and indicates that TrkB is transactivated by DRD2. Together, our data provide evidence that dopamine triggers dual modes of plasticity on striatal MSNs by acting on TrkB surface expression in DRD1 and DRD2 expressing MSNs. This surface expression of the receptor is crucial for the binding of BDNF, which is released from corticostriatal afferents. This leads to the induction of TrkB-mediated downstream signal transduction cascades and long-term potentiation (LTP). Therefore, the dopamine-mediated translocation of TrkB could be a mediator that modulates the balance between dopaminergic and glutamatergic signaling to allow synaptic plasticity in a spatiotemporal manner. This information and the fact that TrkB is segregated to persistent aggregates in PD could help to improve our understanding of voluntary movement control and to develop new therapeutic strategies beyond those focusing on dopaminergic supply.},
  subject      = {Brain-derived neurotrophic factor},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Anton2021,
  author    = {Anton, Selma},
  title     = {Characterization of cAMP nanodomains surrounding the human Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor using FRET-based reporters},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-19069},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-190695},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), the ubiquitous second messenger produced upon stimulation of GPCRs which couple to the stimulatory GS protein, orchestrates an array of physiological processes including cardiac function, neuronal plasticity, immune responses, cellular proliferation and apoptosis. By interacting with various effector proteins, among others protein kinase A (PKA) and exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (Epac), it triggers signaling cascades for the cellular response. Although the functional outcomes of GSPCR-activation are very diverse depending on the extracellular stimulus, they are all mediated exclusively by this single second messenger. Thus, the question arises how specificity in such responses may be attained. A hypothesis to explain signaling specificity is that cellular signaling architecture, and thus precise operation of cAMP in space and time would appear to be essential to achieve signaling specificity. Compartments with elevated cAMP levels would allow specific signal relay from receptors to effectors within a micro- or nanometer range, setting the molecular basis for signaling specificity. Although the paradigm of signaling compartmentation gains continuous recognition and is thoroughly being investigated, the molecular composition of such compartments and how they are maintained remains to be elucidated. In addition, such compartments would require very restricted diffusion of cAMP, but all direct measurements have indicated that it can diffuse in cells almost freely. In this work, we present the identification and characterize of a cAMP signaling compartment at a GSPCR. We created a F{\"o}rster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based receptor-sensor conjugate, allowing us to study cAMP dynamics in direct vicinity of the human glucagone-like peptide 1 receptor (hGLP1R). Additional targeting of analogous sensors to the plasma membrane and the cytosol enables assessment of cAMP dynamics in different subcellular regions. We compare both basal and stimulated cAMP levels and study cAMP crosstalk of different receptors. With the design of novel receptor nanorulers up to 60nm in length, which allow mapping cAMP levels in nanometer distance from the hGLP1R, we identify a cAMP nanodomain surrounding it. Further, we show that phosphodiesterases (PDEs), the only enzymes known to degrade cAMP, are decisive in constraining cAMP diffusion into the cytosol thereby maintaining a cAMP gradient. Following the discovery of this nanodomain, we sought to investigate whether downstream effectors such as PKA are present and active within the domain, additionally studying the role of A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) in targeting PKA to the receptor compartment. We demonstrate that GLP1-produced cAMP signals translate into local nanodomain-restricted PKA phosphorylation and determine that AKAP-tethering is essential for nanodomain PKA. Taken together, our results provide evidence for the existence of a dynamic, receptor associated cAMP nanodomain and give prospect for which key proteins are likely to be involved in its formation. These conditions would allow cAMP to exert its function in a spatially and temporally restricted manner, setting the basis for a cell to achieve signaling specificity. Understanding the molecular mechanism of cAMP signaling would allow modulation and thus regulation of GPCR signaling, taking advantage of it for pharmacological treatment.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Auer2021,
  author    = {Auer, Daniela},
  title     = {Impact of the chlamydial deubiquitinase ChlaDUB1 on host cell defense},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-17846},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-178462},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {The human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis is the main cause of sexually transmitted infections worldwide. The obligate intracellular bacteria are the causative agent of several diseases that reach from conjunctivitis causing trachoma and blindness as well as salpingitis and urethritis which can lead to infertility if left untreated. In order to gain genetically engineered Chlamydia that inducible knock down specific gene expression, the CRISPRi system was established in C. trachomatis. In a proof of principle experiment it was shown that C. trachomatis pCRISPRi:gCdu1III target ChlaDUB1 expression and reduce the protein amount up to 50 \%. Knock-down of the DUB did not influence protein levels of anti-apoptotic Mcl-1 and did not make cells susceptible for apoptosis. However, reduced dCas9 protein size, bacterial growth impairment and off target effects interfering with the GFP signal, form obstacles in CRISPRi system in Chlamydia. For routinely use of the CRISPRi method in C. trachomatis further investigation is needed. Since the bacterial life cycle includes two morphological and functional distinct forms, it is essential for chlamydial spread to complete the development cycle and form infectious progeny. Therefore, Chlamydia has evolved strategies to evade the host immune system in order to stay undetected throughout the developmental cycle. The bacteria prevent host cell apoptosis via stabilization of anti-apoptotic proteins like Mcl-1, Survivin and HIF-1α and activate pro-survival pathways, inhibiting invasion of immune cells to the site of infection. The host cell itself can destroy intruders via cell specific defense systems that involve autophagy and recruitment of professional immune cells. In this thesis the role of the chlamydial deubiuqitinase ChlaDUB1 upon immune evasion was elucidated. With the mutant strain Ctr Tn-cdu1 that encodes for a truncated DUB due to transposon insertion, it was possible to identify ChlaDUB1 as a potent opponent of the autophagic system. Mutant inclusions were targeted by K48 and K63 chain ubiquitination. Subsequently the inclusion was recognized by autophagic receptors like p62, NBR1 and NDP52 that was reversed again by complementation with the active DUB. Xenophagy was promoted so far as LC3 positive phagosomes formed around the inclusion of Ctr Tn-cdu1, which did not fuse with the lysosome. The detected growth defect in human primary cells of Chlamydia missing the active DUB was not traced back to autophagy, but was due to impaired development and replication. It was possible to identify Ankib1, the E3 ligase, that ubiquitinates the chlamydial inclusion in a siRNA based screen. The activating enzyme Ube1 and the conjugating enzyme Ube2L3 are also essential in this process. Chlamydia have a reduced genome and depend on lipids and nutrients that are translocated from the host cell to the inclusion to proliferate. Recruitment of fragmented Golgi stacks to the inclusion surface was prevented when ChlaDUB1 was inactive, probably causing diminished bacterial growth. Additionally, the modification of the inclusion by Ankib1 and subsequent decoration by autophagic markers was not only present in human but also murine cells. Comparison of other Chlamydia strains and species revealed Ankib1 to be located at the proximity of the inclusion in C. trachomatis strains only but not in C. muridarum or C. pneumoniae, indicating that Ankib1 is specifically the E3 ligase of C. trachomatis. Moreover, the role of ChlaDUB1 in infected tissue was of interest, since ChlaDUB1 protein was also found in early EB stage and so might get in contact with invading immune cells after cell lysis. While bacteria spread and infect new host cells, Chlamydia can also infect immune cells. Infection of human neutrophils with Ctr Tn-cdu1 shows less bacterial survival and affirms the importance of the DUB for bacterial fitness in these cells.},
  subject      = {Chlamydia},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Aurbach2021,
  author    = {Aurbach, Katja},
  title     = {Studies on the role of the cytoskeleton in platelet production},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-23466},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-234669},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Platelets are small anucleated cell fragments that originate from megakaryocytes (MKs), which are large cells located in the bone marrow (BM). MKs extend long cytoplasmic protrusions, a process which is called proplatelet formation, into the lumen of the sinusoidal vessels where platelets are sized by the bloodstream. During the process of platelet biogenesis, segments of the MK penetrate the endothelium and, through cytoskeletal remodeling inside the MK, proplatelet fragments are released. Rho GTPases, such as RhoA and RhoB, are critically involved in cytoskeletal rearrangements of both the actin and the tubulin cytoskeleton. The first part of this thesis concentrated on the protein RhoB and its involvement in cytoskeletal organization in MKs and platelets. Single knockout (KO) mice lacking RhoB had a minor microthrombocytopenia, which means a smaller platelet size and reduced platelet number, accompanied by defects in the microtubule cytoskeleton in both MKs and platelets. In particular, tubulin organization and stability, which is regulated by posttranslational modifications of α-tubulin, were disturbed in RhoB-/- platelets. In contrast, RhoB-/- MKs produced abnormally shaped proplatelets but had unaltered posttranslational modifications of α-tubulin. The second part focused on the influence of RhoA and RhoB on MK localization and platelet biogenesis in murine BM. Many intact RhoA-/- MKs are able to transmigrate through the endothelial layer and stay attached to the vessel wall, whereas only 1\% of wildtype (wt) MKs are detectable in the intrasinusoidal space. Concomitant deficiency of RhoA and RhoB reverts this transmigration and results in macrothrombocytopenia, MK clusters around the vessel in the BM and defective MK development. The underlying mechanism that governs MKs to distinct localizations in the BM is poorly understood, thus this thesis suggests that this process may be dependent on RhoB protein levels, as RhoA deficiency is coincided with increased RhoB levels in MKs and platelets. The third part of this thesis targeted the protein PDK1, a downstream effector of Rho GTPases, in regard to MK maturation and polarization throughout thrombopoiesis. MK- and platelet-specific KO in mice led to a significant macrothrombocytopenia, impaired actin cytoskeletal reorganization during MK spreading and proplatelet formation, with defective MK maturation. This was associated with decreased PAK activity and, subsequently, phosphorylation of its substrates LIMK and Cofilin. Together, the observations of this thesis highlight the importance of Rho GTPases and their downstream effectors on the regulation of the MK and platelet cytoskeleton.},
  subject      = {Megakaryozyt},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Babu2021,
  author    = {Babu, Dinesh Kumar},
  title     = {Efficient Data Fusion Approaches for Remote Sensing Time Series Generation},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-25180},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-251808},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Fernerkundungszeitreihen beschreiben die Erfassung von zeitlich gleichm{\"a}ßig verteilten Fernerkundungsdaten in einem festgelegten Zeitraum entweder global oder f{\"u}r ein vordefiniertes Gebiet. F{\"u}r die {\"U}berwachung der Landwirtschaft, die Erkennung von Ver{\"a}nderungen der Ph{\"a}nologie oder f{\"u}r das Umwelt-Monitoring werden nahezu t{\"a}gliche Daten mit hoher r{\"a}umlicher Aufl{\"o}sung ben{\"o}tigt. Bei vielen verschiedenen fernerkundlichen Anwendungen h{\"a}ngt die Genauigkeit von der dichte und der Verl{\"a}sslichkeit der fernerkundlichen Datenreihe ab. Die verschiedenen Fernerkundungssatellitenkonstellationen sind immer noch nicht in der Lage, fast t{\"a}glich oder t{\"a}glich Bilder mit hoher r{\"a}umlicher Aufl{\"o}sung zu liefern, um die Bed{\"u}rfnisse der oben erw{\"a}hnten Fernerkundungsanwendungen zu erf{\"u}llen. Einschr{\"a}nkungen bei den Sensoren, hohe Entwicklungskosten, hohe Betriebskosten der Satelliten und das Vorhandensein von Wolken, die die Sicht auf das Beobachtungsgebiet blockieren, sind einige der Gr{\"u}nde, die es sehr schwierig machen, fast t{\"a}gliche oder t{\"a}gliche optische Fernerkundungsdaten mit hoher r{\"a}umlicher Aufl{\"o}sung zu erhalten. Mit Entwicklungen bei den optischen Sensorsystemen und gut geplanten Fernerkundungssatellitenkonstellationen kann dieser Zustand verbessert werden, doch ist dies mit Kosten verbunden. Selbst dann wird das Problem nicht vollst{\"a}ndig gel{\"o}st sein, so dass der wachsende Bedarf an zeitlich und r{\"a}umlich hochaufl{\"o}senden Daten nicht vollst{\"a}ndig gedeckt werden kann. Da der Datenerfassungsprozess sich auf Satelliten st{\"u}tzt, die physische Systeme sind, k{\"o}nnen diese aus verschiedenen Gr{\"u}nden unvorhersehbar ausfallen und einen vollst{\"a}ndigen Verlust der Beobachtung f{\"u}r einen bestimmten Zeitraum verursachen, wodurch eine L{\"u}cke in der Zeitreihe entsteht. Um den langfristigen Trend der ph{\"a}nologischen Ver{\"a}nderungen aufgrund der sich schnell {\"a}ndernden Umweltbedingungen zu beobachten, sind die Fernerkundungsdaten aus der gegenw{\"a}rtig nicht ausreichend. Hierzu werden auch Daten aus der Vergangenheit ben{\"o}tigt. Eine bessere Alternativl{\"o}sung f{\"u}r dieses Problem kann die Erstellung von Fernerkundungszeitreihen durch die Fusion von Daten mehrerer Fernerkundungssatelliten mit unterschiedlichen r{\"a}umlichen und zeitlichen Aufl{\"o}sungen sein. Dieser Ansatz soll effektiv und effizient sein. Bei dieser Methode kann ein zeitlich und r{\"a}umlich hoch aufgel{\"o}stes Bild von einem Satelliten, wie Sentinel-2 mit einem zeitlich und r{\"a}umlich niedrig aufgel{\"o}sten Bild von einem Satelliten, wie Sentinel-3 fusioniert werden, um synthetische Daten mit hoher zeitlicher und r{\"a}umlicher Aufl{\"o}sung zu erzeugen. Die Erzeugung von Fernerkundungszeitreihen durch Datenfusionsmethoden kann sowohl auf die gegenw{\"a}rtig erfassten Satellitenbilder als auch auf die in der Vergangenheit von den Satelliten aufgenommenen Bilder angewandt werden. Dies wird die dringend ben{\"o}tigten zeitlich und r{\"a}umlich hochaufl{\"o}senden Bilder f{\"u}r Fernerkundungsanwendungen liefern. Dieser vereinfachte Ansatz ist kosteneffektiv und bietet den Forschern die M{\"o}glichkeit, aus der begrenzten Datenquelle, die ihnen zur Verf{\"u}gung steht, die f{\"u}r ihre Anwendung ben{\"o}tigten Daten selbst zu generieren. Ein effizienter Datenfusionsansatz in Kombination mit einer gut geplanten Satellitenkonstellation kann ein L{\"o}sungsansatz sein, um eine nahezu t{\"a}gliche Zeitreihen von Fernerkundungsdaten l{\"u}ckenlos gew{\"a}hrleistet. Ziel dieser Forschungsarbeit ist die Entwicklung eines effizienten Datenfusionsansatzes, um dichte Fernerkundungszeitreihen zu erhalten.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Bachmann2021,
  author    = {Bachmann, Julia},
  title     = {Role of Adipose-Derived Stromal/Stem Cells in Cell-Assisted Lipotransfer - Characterization of their Secretory Capacity under Ischemia-Like Stress Conditions and Establishment of a 3D Adipose Tissue-ASC Co-Culture},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-25178},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-251786},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {The use of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) for cell-based therapeutic approaches, in terms of repair and regeneration of various tissues and organs, offers an alternative therapeutic tool in the field of regenerative medicine. The ability of ASCs to differentiate along mesenchymal lineages is not the only property that makes these cells particularly attractive for therapeutic purposes. Their promising functions in promoting angiogenesis, reducing inflammation as well as in functional tissue restoration are largely related to the trophic effects of a broad panel of secreted cytokines and growth factors. However, in cell-based approaches, the cell-loaded construct often is exposed to an ischemic microenvironment characterized by severe oxidative and nutritional stress after transplantation due to the initial lack of vascular connection, resulting in reduced cell viability and altered cell behaviour. Therefore, the effective use of ASCs in regenerative medicine first requires a comprehensive characterization of the cells in terms of their viability, differentiation capacity and especially their secretory capabilities under ischemia-mimicking conditions in order to better understand their beneficial role. Accordingly, in the first part of this work, ASCs were investigated under different ischemic conditions, in which cells were exposed to both glucose and oxygen deprivation, with respect to viability and secretory function. Using mRNA gene expression analysis, significantly higher expression of selected angiogenic, anti-apoptotic and immunomodulatory factors (IL-6, VEGF, STC-1) could be demonstrated under harsh ischemic conditions. These results were reflected at the protein expression level by a significantly increased secretion of these factors. For stanniocalcin-1 (STC-1), a factor not yet described in ASCs, a particularly high expression with significant secreted amounts of the protein could be demonstrated under harsh ischemic conditions. Thus, the first part of this work, in addition to the characterization of the viability, provided first insights into the secretory response of ASCs under ischemic conditions. The response of ASCs to glucose deficiency in combination with severe hypoxia has been little explored to date. Thus, the focus of the second part of this work was on a more detailed investigation of the secretory response of ASCs under glucose and oxygen deprivation. For a more comprehensive analysis of the secretion profile, a cytokine antibody array was performed, which allowed the detection of a broad panel of secreted angiogenic factors (IL-8, ANG), matrix-regulating proteins (TIMP-1, TIMP-2), chemokines (MCP-1/CCL2, IP-10/CXCL 10) and other factors under ischemic conditions. To verify these results, selected factors were examined using ELISA. The analysis revealed that the secretion of individual factors (e.g., STC-1, VEGF) was significantly upregulated by the combination of glucose and oxygen deprivation compared to oxygen deprivation alone. In order to investigate the impact of the secretome of ischemic ASCs on cell types involved in tissue regeneration, the effect of conditioned medium of ischemia-challenged ASCs on both endothelial cells and fibroblasts was investigated in subsequent experiments. Significantly increased viability and tube formation of endothelial cells as well as activated migration of fibroblasts by the secreted factors of ischemic ASCs could be demonstrated. A direct correlation of these effects to STC-1, which was significantly upregulated under ischemic conditions and has been described as a regulator of key cellular functions, could not be verified. The particular secretory capacity of ASCs provides a valuable tool for cell-based therapies, such as cell-assisted lipotransfer (CAL), where by enriching fat grafts with isolated ASCs, a significantly improved survival rate of the transplanted construct is achieved with less resorption of the fat tissue as well as a reduction in adverse implications, such as fibrosis and cyst formation. In order to better understand the function of ASCs in CAL, an autologous transwell-based lipograft-ASC co-culture was established in the last part of this work, in which first investigations showed a markedly increased secretion of VEGF compared to lipografts without added ASCs. As the stability rate of the fat tissue and thus the success of CAL is presumably also dependent on the preparation of the tissue before transplantation, the conventional preparation method of fat tissue for vocal fold augmentation in laryngoplasty was additionally evaluated in vitro in a pilot experiment. By analyzing the viability and tissue structure of the clinically prepared injection material, a large number of dead cells and a clearly damaged tissue structure with necrotic areas could be demonstrated. In comparison, the preparation method of the fat tissue established in this work as small tissue fragments was able to provide a clearly intact, vital, and vascularized tissue structure. This type of adipose tissue preparation represents a promising alternative for clinical vocal fold augmentation. In conclusion, the results of this work contribute to a comprehensive characterization of ASCs under ischemic conditions, such as those prevalent at the transplantation site or in tissue regeneration. The results obtained, especially on the secretory capacity of ASCs, provide new insights into how ASCs mediate regenerative effects in an ischemic milieu and why their use for therapeutic purposes is highly attractive and promising.},
  subject      = {Adipose},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Balakrishnan2021,
  author    = {Balakrishnan, Ashwin},
  title     = {Fast molecular mobility of β\(_2\)-adrenergic receptor revealed by time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-25085},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-250856},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {G-protein- coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of membrane confined receptors and they transduce ligand binding to downstream effects. Almost 40\% of the drugs in the world target GPCRs due to their function, albeit knowing less about their activation. Understanding their dynamic behaviour in basal and activated state could prove key to drug development in the future. GPCRs are known to exhibit complex molecular mobility patterns. A plethora of studies have been and are being conducted to understand the mobility of GPCRs. Due to limitations of imaging and spectroscopic techniques commonly used, the relevant timescales are hard to access. The most commonly used techniques are electron paramagnetic resonance or double electronelectron resonance, nuclear magnetic resonance, time-resolved fluorescence, single particle tracking and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. Among these techniques only fluorescence has the potential to probe live cells. In this thesis, I use different time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic techniques to quantify diffusion dynamics / molecular mobility of β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) in live cells. The thesis shows that β2-AR exhibits mobility over an exceptionally broad temporal range (nanosecond to second) that can be linked to its respective physiological scenario. I explain how β2-AR possesses surprisingly fast lateral mobility (~10 μm²/s) associated with vesicular transport in contrast to the prior reports of it originating from fluorophore photophysics and free fluorophores in the cytosol. In addition, β2-AR has rotational mobility (~100 μs) that makes it conform to the Saffman-Delbr{\"u}ck model of membrane diffusion unlike earlier studies. These contrasts are due to the limitations of the methodologies used. The limitations are overcome in this thesis by using different time-resolved fluorescence techniques of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), time-resolved anisotropy (TRA) and polarisation resolved fullFCS (fullFCS). FCS is limited to microsecond to the second range and TRA is limited to the nanosecond range. fullFCS complements the two techniques by covering the blind spot of FCS and TRA in the microsecond range. Finally, I show how ligand stimulation causes a decrease in lateral mobility which could be a hint at cluster formation due to internalisation and how β2-AR possesses a basal oligomerisation that does not change on activation. Thus, through this thesis, I show how different complementary fluorescence techniques are necessary to overcome limitations of each technique and to thereby elucidate functional dynamics of GPCR activation and how it orchestrates downstream signalling.},
  language  = {en}
}