Philip Alexander Steiner

Dr. Philip Alexander Steiner is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute of Pharmacology, Johannes Kepler University, where he has been working since 2021 under the supervision of Professor Susanna Zierler. His research focuses on cellular pharmacology with particular emphasis on two-pore ion channels and their role in immune responses.

Dr. Steiner received his Dr. rer. nat. in Biology from Paris Lodron University of Salzburg in 2020, where he was mentored by Ursula Lütz-Meindl and Hubert H. Kerschbaum. Prior to that, he completed his M.Sc. in Biology (2017) and B.Sc. in Biology (2014) at Austrian universities.

Dr. Steiner's primary research interest lies in the study of two-pore ion channels TPC1 and TPC2, which are Ca²⁺ permeable channels located in the biomembrane of acidic organelles such as endosomes and lysosomes. His work particularly focuses on the function of these channels in mast cells and basophils, which play crucial roles in anaphylaxis and allergic reactions. Using high-resolution laser scanning microscopy and advanced electron microscopic techniques including 3D tomography and immunocytochemical localization, his research aims to elucidate the ultrastructural position of these channels and their organelles to better understand their physiological role in immune responses.

Dr. Steiner's publication record shows a clear progression from plant cell biology to immune cell pharmacology, with a consistent methodological focus on advanced microscopy techniques. His recent work (2022-2025) demonstrates increasing specialization in two-pore channel function in immune cells, particularly examining programmed cell death mechanisms in basophilic leukemia cells and mast cells, while maintaining his expertise in electron microscopy applications.

• Christian-Doppler-Award 2021 in the field of 'organismic biology and cell biology'
• Fritz-Grasenick-Award 2021 in electron microscopy
• Publication of the month July 2020, University of Salzburg
• 'Best talk award' at the 22nd Austrian Society of Plant Biology Conference 2018
• Publication of the month August 2018, University of Salzburg

Dr. Steiner is an active member of several professional societies including the Austrian Pharmacological Society (APHAR), Society of General Physiologists (SGP), Austrian Society for Electron Microscopy (ASEM), European Microscopy Society (EMS), and European Calcium Society (ECS). His research bridges fundamental cellular mechanisms with potential clinical applications for immune-related disorders through sophisticated imaging techniques and cellular pharmacology approaches.

Working within the Cellular Pharmacology research group at JKU, Dr. Steiner utilizes state-of-the-art laser scanning and electron microscopy facilities to investigate the ultrastructural localization of two-pore channels in immune cells. His work combines molecular biology, cellular physiology, and advanced imaging to explore the potential of TPCs as pharmacological targets for treating anaphylaxis and allergic reactions.