The main experimental foci of the lab are on the cellular actions of ethanol/acetaldehyde and acetate as well as other modulators on maxi calcium-activated potassium channels (BK). BK ion channels are molecular integrators of electrical events at the plasma membrane and of activation of intracellular messenger systems. BK channels are involved in a plethora of cellular functions from bacteria to men and play an essential role in controlling electrical activity of cells, hormone secretion or vasoregulation to name a few. They are a main target of ethanol and acetaldehyde being involved in the tolerance of organisms against alcohol. Mutations at the BK channel proteins are associated with epilepsy, paroxysmal disorder, cerebellar ataxia, hearing loss, autism, mental deficiency or chronic hypertension. In our studies, we found that alcohol and acetaldehyde modulate BK channel activity. The lab uses primarily cell culture and electrophysiological techniques like voltage clamp and patch clamp for the measurement of whole cell and single channel currents. Further interests of the workgroup are chronobiology and shared book reading to kids. In addition, TM Weiger coordinates since 2011 the university’s sustainability program PLUS Green Campus and is the PLUS delegate to the Alliance of Sustainable Universities in Austria.
Further interests of the workgroup are chronobiology and shared book reading to kids.
In addition, TM Weiger coordinates since 2011 the university’s sustainability program PLUS Green Campus and is the PLUS delegate to the Alliance of Sustainable Universities in Austria.
Public outreach:
- Since 2002 TM Weiger organizes and coordinates each year in March the Brain Awareness Week in Salzburg in cooperation with the Haus der Natur and the Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität.
- In 2015 TM Weiger initiated the shared book reading weeks in the Kindergarten Oberalm which take place every year in June. This program intends to make parents aware about the multiple beneficial effects of daily shared book reading with their kids.
