معرفی
Katia Cosentino is a Junior Professor (equivalent to Assistant Professor) in the Department of Biology at Osnabrück University, where she leads the research group Molecular Cell Biophysics. Her work bridges molecular biophysics and cell biology, focusing on the mechanisms of regulated cell death, particularly pyroptosis and apoptosis, through the lens of pore-forming proteins (PFPs).
Her research centers on the spatio-temporal assembly of Gasdermin pores during pyroptosis, how membrane environment modulates pore formation, and the crosstalk between apoptosis and pyroptosis. She investigates how these processes influence cell death outcomes, with relevance to disease mechanisms in cancer, neurodegeneration, and immune disorders.
The recent publications highlight a strong focus on Gasdermin D (GSDMD) regulation via palmitoylation and membrane targeting, as well as the interplay between BAX/BAK in apoptotic pore dynamics and inflammation. These works reflect a consistent theme in membrane biophysics, protein-lipid interactions, and cell death signaling, employing cutting-edge techniques like single-molecule imaging and super-resolution microscopy.
While no scientific awards are listed in the provided text, her research is published in high-impact journals such as The EMBO Journal and Molecular Cell, indicating strong recognition in the field. There is no information available about student advising or external grants.
Her lab utilizes advanced model systems including artificial membranes (liposomes, nanodiscs), mammalian cells expressing PFPs, and isolated organelles, combined with methods like fluorescence imaging, atomic force microscopy, and stoichiometric analysis of protein complexes.
