Teaching

Our task as representatives of the subject of physiology is to teach thinking in functional contexts, an understanding of the processes of acquiring and evaluating new knowledge and, in particular, the sustainable integration of basic knowledge into clinical thinking in the curricula of human medicine and midwifery at the University of Augsburg. In particular, we incorporate teaching formats that that foster student engagement and self-directed learning. 

Research:

The blood flow in all organs and tissues is adapted to a wide variety of constantly changing conditions on a daily basis. Disturbances in the adequate adaptation of blood flow to changing needs occur in a number of the most common diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes. Therefore, even after many years of research, the mechanisms that regulate blood flow are still not fully understood.

In this context, research at the Department of Physiology is investigating the role of various signaling molecules, in particular ion channels, in vascular smooth muscle cells and mechanically induced signaling cascades in endothelial cells in various areas of the circulatory system. A particular emphasis is placed on physiological regulatory processes, including myogenic and perivascular fat-mediated autoregulation, signaling processes induced by mechanical stimuli, and functional remodeling of the vascular wall. Additionally, we are interested in better understanding associated pathophysiological processes, such as diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. Moreover, the investigation is centered around transport, adhesion, and migration processes, with a particular focus on the endothelium, as well as on synthetic and in vitro model systems. A wide range of methodologies is available at the department, encompassing methods on the molecular and cellular level,  as well as those investigating intact organs.