Prof. Dr. Barbara Burwinkel

Research Overview:

Molecular epidemiology is an exciting research area representing a critical link between the Human Genome Project and medicine. The identification of susceptibility genes and gene variants associated with disease risk and clinical/therapeutic outcome is essential for the understanding of the pathogenesis of disease, the development of medical diagnostics, prevention and therapeutic strategies.

The major aims of the group are:

• Identification and molecular genetic characterisation of genetic breast cancer, colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer risk factors (candidate gene/candidate SNP and genome wide/approaches). Identification of genetic variants influencing the clinical and therapeutic outcome of cancer patients.
  Building up a study cohort “Genetic Risk Factors of Pancreatic Cancer” in collaboration with the University Clinic of Surgery, Heidelberg and European partners.
  Identification of disease-associated chromosomal copy-number variants and polymorphisms using ultra-high-density SNP and tiling arrays.
  
• Identification of epigenetic cancer risk signatures and epimutations, analysing array based genome-wide methylation profiles.
  
• Development and characterisation of siRNAs and peptide aptamers against cancer targets. Especially, targeting of ID proteins to suppress their oncogenic effect.
  
• Genetic mapping and molecular genetic analysis of congenital childhood diseases: Collaboration with the Institute of Human Genetics and the Paediatric Clinic, University Heidelberg.