In molecular biology, the structure, synthesis and role of DNA and RNA are examined. Research is done on gene expression and gene regulation as well as the role of proteins in the cell and their interaction with DNA. The aim is to better understand these various mechanisms on a molecular level.
The group of Ara Hacobian examines primarily concepts of gene therapy. Emphasis is thereby put on increasing the efficacy of non-viral gene therapy and their application for therapeutical usage. Strategies are developed and improved for targeted gene knockdown and enhancement, the establishment of reporter systems as well as increasing the transfection efficiency. Technical methods that are used are:
- Design of therapeutic and reporter plasmids
- Subcloning, amplification and purification of genes/plasmids (PCR, ligation, selection)
- Cell culture and cell differentiation assays
- Enzymatic detection methods/ELISA
- Protein expression and analysis
- (Quantitative) Real time PCR analysis
- In vitro/in vivo gene therapy
- Neuronoal grafts
- Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
Areas of application are diverse, as they range from bone regeneration over wound healing to nerve regeneration. In cooperation with other research groups in the institute, different applied in vivo projects can be implemented. This allows for testing the systems that are developed for therapy.
Selected Publications
Khan A, Dellago H, Terlecki-Zaniewicz L, Karbiener M, Weilner S, Hildner F, Steininger V, Gabriel C, Mück C, Jansen-Dürr P, Hacobian A, Scheideler M, Grillari-Voglauer R, Schosserer M & Grillari J (2017). SNEVhPrp19/hPso4 Regulates Adipogenesis of Human Adipose Stromal Cells. Stem Cell Reports, 8(1):21-29.
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