Research at CC-SPMD

Research at CC-SPMD is organized into various programs that bring together
scientists with distinct expertise to carry out major projects that cannot
be done within a traditional laboratory setting. Research at CC-SPMD focuses
on a systems approach to metabolic diseases, e.g.

• acquisition/integration of multiple, dynamic data types of signaling networks of normal and disease states and their analysis/mathematic modeling as hierarchically organized, dynamical networks
• discovery of new biomarkers that serve as signatures of diseases
• in vivo imaging to track disease progression
• discovery of novel targets for small molecule modulators and biologicals
  

Our projects and programs:

Systems Biology of beta-cells:

Together with Roche, Basel, a research program on 'Systems Biology of pancreatic beta-cells' was established to discover novel diabetes drug targets and biomarkers. More information »»

LiverX - Systems Biology of Hepatic Insulin Resistance:

In 2008, CC-SPMD received a highly competitive SystemsX.ch RTD grant for a project called 'LiverX - Systems Biology of hepatic insulin resistance'.
More information »»

Systems Biology of Adipocytes:

The multidisciplinary research program on 'Systems Biology of adipocytes' defines causes and novel targets for therapeutic interventions for human obesity.
More information »»

Cancer Metabolism:

This disease-based program will investigate alterations in metabolic and signalling networks in different types of cancer. These networks have long been known to be important for the development of common metabolic diseases and are increasingly recognized of playing a causal role in cancer.
More information »»

Biosensors and Biomarkers:

Biosensors and biomarkers are critical tools to dissect and monitor complex physiological states at the level of living single cells and whole organisms and the response of disease. In this discipline-based program we will one the one hand combine biosensor development with microfluidic, and on the other hand pursue biomarker discovery by integrating human genetics, experimental mouse models and novel proteomics technologies.
More information »»

Further projects:

A number of smaller projects are also part of the center. Many of them are dual mentorship PhD projects.

• PhD projects at CC-SPMD

Technology Platforms

Several platforms that provide important technology and methodological know-how for a number of projects have been established by members of the center:

• Proteomics
• Metabolomics
• Translational Medicine
• In vivo validation models
  

Furthermore, CC-SPMD has access to technology platforms provided by the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, as e.g. the Functional Genomics Center Zurich, the Light Microscopy Center of ETHZ, the ETHZ/UNIZ Imaging Center, the RNAi Screening Platform of ETHZ or the Rodent Center at ETHZ.