Sabrina Grube

Date of birth
23.12.1983

Place of birth
Göttingen, Germany

EDUCATION

Sabrina Grube

College / University
Leipzig University Hannover

Degree
Diploma in Biochemistry

Major Subjects
Biochemistry, Biophysical Chemistry, Pharmacology

Lab Experience

• cloning strategies

• protein expression in different cell lines and E.coli; purification; western blots

• creation of viral vectors; RNAi

• ELISA

• cell culture

• spectroscopy (e.g. IR-, NMR-, mass-)

• sequencing (high through put format)

• experiences in working with roboters

• SNP analysis

• fundamentals in pharmacological tasks

• biophysical methods like stopp-flow, fluorescence measurements, ultracentrifugation

Affiliation-Address:
Max-Planck-Institute for Experimental Medicine
Div. of Clinical Neurosciences
Hermann-Rein-Str. 3
37075 Göttingen
Germany

phone: +49-551-3899 531
e-mail:

Further Information:
www.em.mpg.de

PROJECTS / RESEARCH

Current title of PhD project: "Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study on Schizophrenia - Genetic Analyses."

Schizophrenia is the collective term for a heterogeneous group of psychiatric disorders, classified exclusively by clinical endpoints. Its genetic causes and biological basis are still largely unknown. To define biological subgroups of schizophrenia and get a better understanding of the disease, our group established a novel patient database, GRAS (Göttingen Research Association for Schizophrenia), specifically designed to allow the association of genetic information with clinical readouts and phenotypes of the disease (N=1071). For a first proof of principle we analysed the gene encoding the presynaptic protein complexin2. The coding region was sequenced and putative important regions of the gene were analysed by direct genotyping. In the simple case-control association study we could not find any differences in the distributions of the analysed markers between patients and healthy controls. However, in our new approach, looking at the genotype-phenotype interactions, we found many of the markers highly associated with cognitive performance in our schizophrenic population. Furthermore, one of these markers, located in the 3' untranslated region, influences miRNA binding and gene expression. Following this way further in my PhD project to get closer to an understanding of the disease, I will continue: (1) to select genes of interest (risk/putative protective genes, e.g. KCNN3, GPM6A, St8SiaII, BDNF, Epo, EpoR), (2) to develop a strategy to analyse them, (3) to perform comprehensive genotype-phenotype analyses, and (4) to try to understand how genetic markers can influence specific readouts of the phenotype.

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

My specific scientific interest is the huge field of translational neuroscience focused on research going from cell to men. Particular the molecular genetic approaches like studying different polymorphisms, small RNAs and other genetic variations are really absorbing. Because of my experiences in pharmacology I’m especially interested in the effect of EPO in several diseases and how it works on the molecular level.

SOURCE OF FUNDING

MPIEM work contract

PUBLICATIONS

Grube S*, Begemann M*, Papiol S, Malzahn D, Krampe H, Ribbe K, Friedrichs H, Radyushkin KA, El-Kordi A, Benseler F, Hannke K, Sperling S, Schwerdtfeger D, Thanhäuser I, Gerchen MF, Ghorbani M, Gutwinski S, Hilmes C, Leppert R, Ronnenberg A, Sowislo J, Stawicki S, Stödtke M, Szuszies C, Reim K, Riggert J, Falkai P, Bickeböller H, Nave KA, Brose N, Ehrenreich H (2009). Complexin2 gene polymorphisms modify cognitive performance in schizophrenia. Archives of General Psychiatry, in press.

Grube S*, Gerchen MF*, Adamcio B*, Pardo L, Martin S, Malzahn D, Papiol P, Begemann M, Ribbe K, Friedrichs H, Müller M, Benseler F, Riggert J, Falkai P, Bickeböller H, Nave KA, Brose N, Stühmer W, Ehrenreich H (2010). A CAG repeat polymorphism of KCNN3 predicts SK3 channel function and cognitive performance in schizophrenia, submitted.

POSTER PRESENTATION

Klaus S, Begemann M, Papiol S, Friedrichs H, Ribbe K, Benseler F, Reim K, Riggert J, Brose N, Ehrenreich H (2008). Genetic analysis of complexin2 - a putative schizophrenia modifier gene. Robert-Sommer-Symposium, 07.-08. Nov. 2008 in Giessen, Germany