معرفی
Prof. Dr. Jutta Engel is a leading researcher in the Department of Biophysics at Saarland University, focusing on the physiology of hearing and the biophysical mechanisms of inner hair cells and auditory nerve cells. Her work investigates voltage-gated Ca²⁺ and K⁺ ion channels, neurotransmitter release, and Ca²⁺ signaling in mammalian auditory systems.
Her research employs electrophysiological measurements, immunohistochemistry, Ca²⁺ imaging, and molecular biology to study ribbon synapses, Ca²⁺ microdomains, and auditory signal transduction. Key projects include analyzing the role of Cav1.3 channels in fast sound processing and their implications in congenital deafness and autism-related auditory disorders.
Recent publications highlight collaborations with Kerstin Blum, Stefan Münkner, and Simone Kurt, covering topics like noise-induced synaptopathy, Cacna2d3 gene function, and cGMP signaling in age-related hearing loss. Her lab has secured long-term funding from the DFG, EU, and CRC programs.
Grants include DFG Priority Programme 1608 (2012–2023), IRTG 1830 (2012–2023), and EU CavNET (2006–2010). Current technical support includes Kerstin Fischer and secretariat Heike Kramer.
