This is us, Human Biology at RPTU
AG Human Biology
Our research focuses on the molecular basis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The amyloid precursor protein, APP, plays a central role in AD.
We are interested in both the molecular mechanisms of its pathogenic function and its physiological function. The latter appears to be of particular importance, as there is increasing evidence that disturbances in the physiological function of APP lead to impaired morphology and defective transmission of neurotransmitters at the synapse.
The subcellular localization of APP and the APP homologous proteins APLP1 and APLP2 has a significant influence on their physiological function and pathogenic effect. Therefore, we are interested in the regulation of the subcellular anterograde and retrograde transport of APP.
Since nerve cells and especially their axons are very complex and cannot be renewed in the course of life, they represent the Achilles' heel of the brain and are very susceptible to changes in the course of ageing. Since the APP gene family also plays an important role in maintaining the axonal structure, this is another major research focus of our group.
To address these topics, we use a broad spectrum of classical and state-of-the-art structural biology, biochemical, cell biological and microscopic methods, which allow us to analyze the molecular processes of disease development in detail.
Brief Curriculum Vitae Prof. Dr. Stefan Kins
Academic positions and appointments:
Since 2008: Univ.-Professor (W2) for Human Biology and Human Genetics at the Technical University of Kaiserslautern
2007-2008: Independent group leader at the ZMBH, University of Heidelberg
2003-2007: Project leader at the ZMBH, University of Heidelberg
2001-2003: Assistant in the research group of Prof. Dr. K. Beyreuther at the Centre for molecular biology (ZMBH), University of Heidelberg
1999-2001: Postdoc, Department for Psychiatric Research, University of Zurich
1999: Dr. phil.nat. (PhD) in Biochemistry (grade: summa cum laude) at the University of Frankfurt; Max Planck Institute for brain research
1996: Diploma (M.Sc.) in Biology, University of Frankfurt
Since 2020: Vice-Dean of the Department for Biology at the TU Kaiserslautern
Since 2019: Co-speaker NeurodegX
Since 2018: Co-speaker GBM Study Group
- Member of Scientific Advisory Board of Alzheimer Research Initiative
- Editorial Board Member for Cells
Selected Publications:
Schilling S, Mehr A, Ludewig S, Stephan J, Zimmermann M, August A, Strecker P, Korte M, Koo EH, Müller UC, Kins S*, Eggert S* (2017) APLP1 Is a Synaptic Cell Adhesion Molecule, Supporting Maintenance of Dendritic Spines and Basal Synaptic Transmission. J Neurosci 37: 5345-5365 *contributed equally
Strecker P, Ludewig S, Rust M, Mundinger TA, Görlich A, Krächan EG, Mehrfeld C, Herz J, Korte M, Guénette SY and Kins S (2016) FE65 and FE65L1 share common synaptic functions and genetically interact with the APP Family in neuromuscular junction formation. Sci Reports 6: 25652.
Baumkötter F, Schmidt N, Vargas C, Schilling S, Weber R, Wagner K, Fiedler S, Klug W, Radzimanowski J, Nickolaus S, Keller S, Eggert S, Wild K and Kins S (2014) Amyloid Precursor Protein dimerization and synaptogenic function depend on copper binding to the growth factor like domain. J Neurosci 34: 11159-72.
Szodorai A, Kuan YH, Hunzelmann S, Engel U, Sakane A, Sasaki T, Takai Y, Kirsch J, Müller U, Beyreuther K, Brady S, Morfini G, Kins S (2009) APP anterograde transport requires Rab3A GTPase activity for assembly of the transport vesicle. J Neurosci 29: 14534-14544.
Soba P, Eggert S, Zentgraf H, Kreger S, Löwer A, Merdes G, Paro R, Masters CL, Müller U, Kins S*, Beyreuther K* (2005) Cell interactions are promoted by trans-dimerization of APP family members, arranged as homo- or hetero-complexes in synaptic membranes. EMBO J 24: 3624-36 *contributed equally