Professor Michael Schrader

About me:

I am a molecular cell biologist interested in the biogenesis and dynamics of cellular compartments (organelles) in mammalian cells. My research focuses on the molecular machinery and signalling pathways, which mediate and regulate the formation, dynamics, abundance and cooperation of peroxisomes. Our goal is to understand the relation of organelle dynamics to organelle functionality and its impact on developmental and physiological processes. My teaching includes molecular cell biology and biomedical aspects. I am a member of the Cell Biology research group.

During my research career my interests have been focused on the molecular mechanisms associated with organelle dynamics and biogenesis in mammalian cells and their relation to inter-organellar communication and cell physiology.

Our model organelle, among others, is the peroxisome. Peroxisomes contribute to several disease-relevant metabolic pathways in mammals (e.g., hydrogen peroxide metabolism, generation and scavenging of reactive oxygen species, break-down of fatty acids by beta-oxidation, and synthesis of ether phospholipids, which are important constituents of myelin sheaths) and have been associated with developmental processes, oxidative stress, ageing and neurodegeneration. In mammalian cells peroxisomes can easily be visualized by peroxisome-targeted fluorescent fusion proteins. Peroxisomes can be enriched and isolated from soft tissues and cells, and are biochemically accessible. Their high plasticity, the pharmacological (environmental) stimulation of their proliferation, and the defined morphological alterations during proliferation make them ideal model organelles with an interesting biology (for overview see Islinger, M., Grille, S., Fahimi, H. D., and M. Schrader: The peroxisome - an update on mysteries. Histochem Cell Biol. 137, 547–574, 2012).

The investigation of peroxisome morphology and dynamics has become an exciting new field in cell biology and biomedical sciences because of its relation to organelle functionality and its impact on developmental and physiological processes.

1996 PhD Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg, Germany
1991 Diploma in Biology, University of Bielefeld, Germany

2017-present Professor of Cell Biology & Cytopathology, Biosciences, University of Exeter, UK
2012-2017 Associate Professor of Cell Biology, Biosciences, University of Exeter, UK

2007-2011 Head of research group at the Centre for Cell Biology & Dept. of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal
2002 Habilitation, Venia Legendi in Cell Biology, University of Marburg, Germany
2001-2006 Hochschulassistent (=Assistant Professor), Privatdozent (PD) and Group leader at the Dept. of Cell Biology and Cell Pathology, University of Marburg, Germany
1999-2000 Postdoctoral Research Fellow with H. F. Kern, University of Marburg, Germany
1997-1998 Postdoctoral Research Fellow with T. A. Schroer, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
1992-1996 PhD in Cell Biology (Laboratory of H. D. Fahimi), University of Heidelberg, Germany
1986-1991 Diploma in Biology, University of Bielefeld, Germany