Prof. Dr. Leonhard Möckl (middle) together with both the DZI-speakers Prof. Dr. Markus F. Neurath (l.) and Prof. Dr. med. univ. Georg Schett (r.). © Franziska Männel/Uniklinikum Erlangen

“The new professorship is located in the context of the research focus physics and medicine in Erlangen, which is unique in Germany and is currently being expanded significantly”, explains Prof. Dr. Markus F. Neurath, dean of the medical faculty of the FAU and one of the two speakers of DZI. The establishment of the Max Planck Zentrum für Physik und Medizin (MPZPM) and CITABLE on the North Research Campus are impressive testimony to the importance of this focus. “Prof. Möckl moves between optics, biochemistry and medicine. As such he is the perfect candidate to fill CITABLE with life and especially innovative approaches, and to bring science in this field forward decisively”, says Prof. Neurath.

Cloak of sugar influences genesis of cancer and immune response

Prof. Möckl and his research group especially want to decode the role of the glycocalyx. This is a kind of coat, which surrounds all cells. It consists of various, highly complex sugar structures and the connected proteins and fat molecules. Thus, the glycocalyx is the first part of the cell to interact with the extracellular environment – e.g. other cells, proteins, and pathogens. “We investigate the functional interplay of cell and glycocalyx – how the glycocalyx influences the condition of the cell and how, conversely, that coat is influenced by the cell”, says Leonhard Möckl. “Although the glycocalyx was not the focus of research for a long time, we now know that it plays an important role in the genesis and progression of cancer”, the biophysicist explains. “Consequently, a pathologically altered glycocalyx in cancer cells can ensure their survival. Furthermore, the sugarcoating functions as a sensor for mechanical stimuli, which support tumor cells during invasion.” To investigate, for example, the thickness and the molecular structures of the glycocalyx, the researchers around Leonhard Möckl use various nanooptical methods, especially super high resolution microscopy which can image tiny biological structures on the nanometer scale. “There is some evidence that the glycocalyx also regulates the immune system”, the scientist continues. “Sialic acid, a part of the glycocalyx, hinders immune cells. Normally that is something we wish for. However, cancer cells can use that mechanism to avoid the response of the immune system. That is why new therapeutic approaches aim to remove the sialic acid selectively and thereby strengthen the immune response.” Since 2020 Leonhard Möckl has conducted research as an independent group leader at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL). Until CITABLE is ready, he and his research group “Physical Glycosciences” will remain in the labs of MPL.

Fighting cancer with light

How can specifically developed substances be activated by light, such that cancer cells are destroyed without damaging healthy tissue? That is another of Leonhard Möckl’s core research questions. In this context he looks specifically at the development of bisacylphosphane oxides (BAPOs). If BAPOs are stimulated with light at the appropriate wavelengths, free radicals toxic to cells emerge. “But only the combination of BAPOs and light is deadly for the cells, taken alone, light and BAPOs are harmless”, Prof. Möckl stresses. The aim is now to further explore the exact mechanisms of action and stimulation conditions of BAPOs and to target the substances at specific types of tumors. Long-term, this is intended to lead to new therapies for cancer patients.

“With the central topics of cancer and the immune system, the new professorship fits perfectly  into the alignment of the DZI, which focuses on the research and development of new techniques for diagnoses and therapies for oncological and chronic inflammatory diseases”, says Prof. Dr. med. univ. Georg Schett, speaker of DZI. CITABLE, the soon-to-be-home of Leonhard Möckl and his team, is currently emerging in the immediate vicinity of the centre for internal medicine and thus to patient care. Both buildings will be connected by a skywalk. “This structural connection underlines translation, meaning the fast transfer of research results from the lab to the clinic”, stresses Prof. Neurath. “Our patients will profit first from the new findings of Prof. Möckl and his team and everyone else, who will move to the new research building.”

Career of Leonhard Möckl

From 2008 to 2013 Leonhard Möckl studied chemistry and biochemistry at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich. During his master’s degree he started his doctorate under the mentoring of Christoph Bräuchle and Thisbe K. Lindhorst. In 2015 he graduated with a thesis on the biophysical relevance of glycocalyx. Four years as postdoctoral researcher at Stanford Univeristy in the groups of W. E. Moerner and Carolyn Bertozzi followed. There, Leonhard Möckl performed preliminary analyses of glycocalyx with super high resolution single molecule microscopy.

Further information:

Prof. Dr. Leonhard Möckl

Tel.: 09131 7133115
leonhard.moeckl@fau.de

News by:

Franziska Männel

Universitätsklinikum Erlangen
Tel.: 09131 85-46670
franziska.maennel@uk-erlangen.de