Imaging of Cellular Processes
Prof. Dr. Stefan LORKOWSKI
Prof. Stefan Lorkowski.
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Prof. Dr. Stefan Lorkowski
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)Prof. Dr. Stefan LORKOWSKI
Email: stefan.lorkowski@uni-jena.de
Phone: +49 3641-9-49710
Prof. Stefan Lorkowski heads the Chair of Biochemistry and Physiology of Nutrition at Friedrich Schiller University Jena and is Deputy Director of the Institute of Nutritional Sciences. Within ACP, his research focuses on optical imaging of intracellular transport and metabolic processes. Raman and fluorescence microscopy are used to visualize the uptake, distribution and metabolism of lipids and other small molecules in human cells, particularly in macrophages.
Research Areas
In his research Prof. Lorkowski investigates the function and plasticity of human monocytes and macrophages, which are the phagocytic cells of the immune system, in physiological processes and in pathophysiological conditions. He is also interested in unraveling the physiological importance of metabolites of vitamin E as signaling molecules. Research interests include:
- Raman imaging of intracellular lipid metabolism
- Fluorescence microscopy of cellular transport processes
- Stable-isotope-assisted spectroscopic imaging
- Optical analysis of macrophages and foam-cell formation
- SERS-based nanoparticle uptake and cellular targeting
Teaching Fields
Prof. Lorkowski’s teaching is aimed at the theoretical and practical training of undergraduate and graduate students, as well as young scientists. He gives courses on:
- Fundamentals of biochemistry and nutritional biochemistry
- Principles of cellular transport processes
- Molecular basics of age-related diseases
- State-of-the-art techniques of life science research
Research Methods
The laboratories led by Prof. Lorkowski offer a wide range of techniques for investigating cellular processes at the molecular level which include:
- Confocal laser-scanning fluorescence microscopy
- Isolation and culture of human cells
- Targeted delivery of cargos into human cells
- Cell and animal models of atherosclerosis
- Expression profiling and flow cytometry
- Fatty acid analysys
Recent Research Results
Raman and fluorescence microscopy provide non-invasive approaches for investigating intracellular lipid transport and metabolism in human macrophages. Stable-isotope labeling enables individual lipid species such as fatty acids and cholesterol to be distinguished from endogenous cellular components and followed during uptake, redistribution and storage [1].
Real-time Raman and stimulated Raman scattering imaging have revealed cell-to-cell heterogeneity in lipid uptake and enabled label-free monitoring of lipid accumulation in living macrophages [2]. Raman imaging has further visualized lipid transport between endocytic vesicles and intracellular lipid droplets during foam-cell formation [3]. Complementary SERS approaches using functionalized nanoparticles provide spectroscopic strategies for targeted detection of macrophages [4].
[1] Matthäus et al., Anal. Chem. 84, 8549 (2012).
[2] Stiebing et al., J. Biophotonics 10, 1217 (2017).
[3] Wallert et al., J. Lipid Res. 58, 128 (2017).
[4] Dugandžić et al., J. Biophotonics 11, e201800013 (2018).