Universität Bonn

Institute for Physiology

en

Malek Mohammadi Laboratory

Our group is interested in understanding the molecular mechanism underlying cardiac regenerative ability of neonatal mice with the future aim of developing therapeutic targets to expand the regenerative window, prevent cardiovascular disease or treat patients in the future

Team_Malek_Mohammadie_web.png
© Malek Mohammadi

Dr. Mona Malek Mohammadi

+49 (0) 228 287 62216

Leader of the labratory

Life & Brain Center

Venusberg-Campus 1

53127 Bonn

Research

Cardiovascular regeneration


Neonatal mice, akin to human neonates, demonstrate cardiac regeneration following injury and adaptation to pressure overload. However, this regenerative capacity diminishes shortly after birth. Our research group aims to delve into cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac regeneration, plasticity, and adaptive response of neonatal mouse heart under pressure overload. By uncovering these intricate mechanisms, we aspire to pave the way for the development of future therapeutic interventions for patients.

Our expertise lies in executing various surgical models tailored to explore cardiac regeneration, including cryoinjury, myocardial infarction, neonatal model of transverse aortic constriction (nTAC), and neonatal model of pulmonary artery banding (nPAB). These models induce ischemic injury or pressure overload in the left ventricle (LV) or the right ventricle (RV), respectively.

Eine Wissenschaftlerin und ein Wissenschaftler arbeiten hinter einer Glasfassade und mischen Chemikalien mit Großgeräten.
© Malek Mohammadi

Images of heart sections 14 days post sham, nTAC or nPAB surgery at P1

Cardiomyocytes are stained against Troponin T and Ki67 is stained in green.

To monitor structural, functional, and morphological changes throughout the heart, we employ state-of-the-art echocardiography techniques, encompassing 2D, 3D, and 4D imaging modalities. This enables comprehensive follow-up assessments, facilitating a deeper understanding of cardiac dynamics in response to various stimuli.

Eine Wissenschaftlerin und ein Wissenschaftler arbeiten hinter einer Glasfassade und mischen Chemikalien mit Großgeräten.
© Malek Mohammadi

  4D Echocardiography

Kurzbeschreibung vom Thema. Leser abholen ohne auszuschweifen. Die Anzahl der Wörter ist nicht auf das Beispiel begrenzt. 120 Zeichen.

Eine Wissenschaftlerin und ein Wissenschaftler arbeiten hinter einer Glasfassade und mischen Chemikalien mit Großgeräten.
© Malek Mohammadi

4D Volume assessment of the heart

Kurzbeschreibung vom Thema. Leser abholen ohne auszuschweifen. Die Anzahl der Wörter ist nicht auf das Beispiel begrenzt. 120 Zeichen.

Eine Wissenschaftlerin und ein Wissenschaftler arbeiten hinter einer Glasfassade und mischen Chemikalien mit Großgeräten.
© Malek Mohammadi

3D Echocardiographic imaging of the entire heart at postnatal day 21

The right ventricle is contoured in red and the left ventricle is contoured in turquoise. 

To dissect the role of different cell types in the complex process of cardiac regeneration, we utilize cutting-edge strategies, including genetic fate mapping, enabling lineage tracing of specific cell subpopulations within the heart. This approach empowers us to investigate their roles and contribution to the overall adaptive response of the heart.

Eine Wissenschaftlerin und ein Wissenschaftler arbeiten hinter einer Glasfassade und mischen Chemikalien mit Großgeräten.
© Malek Mohammadi

Genetic fate mapping of fibroblasts

A) Genetic structure of mTmG mouse model, which expresses EGFP upon Cre expression under a cell type specific promoter

B) Macroscopic images of the transgenic heart at postnatal day 14 in bright field (BF) and fluorescence channels showing Tomato, GFP expression in the heart

We employ single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing, along with in vitro cell culture experiments, to explore and elucidate the intricate cellular crosstalk with the aim of unraveling the potential involvement of cellular interactions in the process of cardiac regeneration.

Eine Wissenschaftlerin und ein Wissenschaftler arbeiten hinter einer Glasfassade und mischen Chemikalien mit Großgeräten.
© Malek Mohammadi

Neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts co-culture


Cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts are stained against Troponin T and PDGFRa, respectively. EDU staining in green was used to assess cell cycle activity

Leader of the lab

Avatar Malek Mohammadi

Dr. Mona Malek Mohammadi

PhD

+49 (0) 228 287 62216

Leiterin der AG
© Malek Mohammadi

Assistence

Research assistants / postdocs

Avatar Ebach

Dr. med Fabian Ebach

+49 228 287 62212

© Fabian Ebach

PhD students

Avatar Nicke

Julia Nicke

MSc. Biology

+49 228 287 62221

© Nicke

Alumni

Adrian Goldspink

Awards

BonFor awards young scientist 
Dr. Malek Mohammadi received BONFOR research award at the Bonfor symposium, 2024.

GNPI awards three prizes to the UKB
Dr. Fabian Ebach received research award at the 50th German Society of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive care (GNP), 2024.

Abstractprize of the Segnitz-Ackermann-Foundation
Julia Nicke received the Segnity-Ackermann-Stiftung award at the basic science meeting of German Society of Cardiology (DGK), 2023.

Dr. Malek Mohammadi received Young Investigator Award from International Society of heart Research (ISHR), 2023.

Publications

T. Hu*, M. Malek Mohammadi*, F. Ebach, M. Hesse, M. I. Kotlikoff, B.K. Fleischmann. Right ventricular cardiomyocyte expansion accompanies cardiac regeneration in newborn mice after large left ventricular infarcts. JCI insight 2024 Feb 6;9(5):e176281. *Contributed equally.

Aufklapp-Text

  • M. Szaroszyk, B. Kattih, A. Martin-Garrido, F. A. Trogisch, G. M. Dittrich, A. Grund, A. Abouissa, K. Derlin, M. Meier, T. Holler, M. Korf-Klingebiel, K. Völker, T. G.Macedo, C. P. Tortola, M. Boschmann, N. Huang, N. Froese, C.Zwadlo, M. Malek Mohammadi, X. Luo, M. Wagner, J. Cordero, R. Geffers, S. Batkai, Th.Thum, N. Bork, V. O. Nikolaev, O. J. Müller, H. A. Katus, A. El-Armouche, Th. Kraft, J. Springer, G. Dobreva, K. C. Wollert, J. Fielitz, S. von Haehling, M. Kuhn, J. Bauersachs & J.Heineke. Skeletal muscle-derived Musclin protects the heart during pathological overload. Nature communication 2022. 149 (2022).

Aufklapp-Text

  • M. Malek Mohammadi, A. Abouissa, & J. Heineke, A surgical mouse model of neonatal pressure overload by transverse aortic constriction. Nat Protoc (2020)

  • M. Malek Mohammadi, A. Abouissa, A. Isyatul, Y. Xie, J. Cordero, A. Shirvani, A. Gigina, M. Engelhardt, F. Trogisch, R. Geffers, G. Dobreva, J. Bauersachs, J. Heineke. Induction of cardiomyocyte proliferation and angiogenesis protects neonatal mice from pressure overload-associated maladaptation. JCI insight 2019 23; 5. pii: 128336.
  • A. Grund, M. Szaroszyk, M. Korf-Klingebiel, M. Malek Mohammadi, F.Trogisch, U. Schrameck, A. Gigina, Ch. Tiedje, M. Gaestel, Th. Kraft, J. Hegermann, S. Batkai, Th. Thum, A. Perrot, C. Remedios, E. Riechert, M. Völkers, Sh. Doroudgar, A. Jungmann, R. Bauer, X. Yin, M. Mayr, K. Wollert, A. Pich, H. Xiao, H. Katus, J. Bauersachs, O. Müller, J. Heineke. TIP30 counteracts cardiac hypertrophy and failure by inhibiting translational elongation. EMBO Mol Med (2019)11: e10018.
  • Grund A, Szaroszyk M, Döppner JK, M. Malek Mohammadi, Kattih B, Korf-Klingebiel M, Gigina A, Scherr M, Kensah G, Jara-Avaca M, Gruh I, Martin U, Wollert KC, Gohla A, Katus HA, Müller OJ, Bauersachs J, Heineke J.A gene therapeutic approach to inhibit CIB1 ameliorates maladaptive remodeling in pressure overload. Cardiovasc Res. 2018 1; 115(1):71-82.
  • M. Malek Mohammadi, Kattih B, Grund A, Froese N, Korf-Klingebiel M, Gigina A, Schrameck U, Rudat C, Liang Q, Kispert A, Wollert KC, Bauersachs J, Heineke J. The transcription factor GATA4 promotes myocardial regeneration in neonatal mice. EMBO Mol. Med. 2017; 9(2):265-279.
  • Appari M, Breitbart A, Brandes F, Szaroszyk M, Froese N, Korf-Klingebiel M, M. Malek Mohammadi, Grund A, Scharf GM, Wang H, Zwadlo C, Fraccarollo D, Schrameck U, Nemer M, Wong GW, Katus HA, Wollert KC, Müller OJ, Bauersachs J, Heineke J. C1q-TNF-Related Protein-9 Promotes Cardiac Hypertrophy and Failure. Circ Res. 2017 6;120(1):66-77
  • Hussain A*, Zhang M*, Üçpunar HK, Svensson T, Quillery E, Gompel N, Ignell R, Grunwald Kadow IC (2016). Ionotropic chemosensory receptors mediate the taste and smell of polyamines. PLoS Biology 14:e1002454. doi:10.1371
    [download]

  • Hussain A*, Üçpunar HK*, Zhang M, Loschek LF, Grunwald Kadow IC (2016).
    Neuropeptides modulate female chemosensory processing upon mating in Drosophila.
    PLoS Biology 14:e1002455. doi: 10.1371
* equal contribution
    [download]

2015

  • Lewis L, Siju KP, Aso Y, Friedrich AB, Bulteel AJB, Rubin GM, Grunwald Kadow IC (2015).
    A higher brain circuit for immediate integration of conflicting sensory information in Drosophila.
    Current Biology PMID: 26299514, doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.07.015
    [download]

  • Organisti C, Hein I, Grunwald Kadow IC*, Suzuki T* (2015).
    Flamingo, a seven-pass transmembrane cadherin, cooperates with Netrin/Frazzled in Drosophila midline pathfinding.
    Genes to Cells 20:50-67. doi: 10.1111/gtc.12202. Epub 2014 Nov 30
    [download]

2014

  • Siju KP*, Bräcker LB*, Grunwald Kadow IC (2014).
    Neural mechanisms of context-dependent modification of CO2 avoidance behavior in fruit flies.
    Fly 8:68-74. doi: 10.4161/fly.28000 * equal contribution
    [download]

2013

  • Hartl M, Grunwald-Kadow IC (2013).
    New roles for ‘old’ microRNAs in nervous system function and disease.
    Front Mol Neurosci doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2013.00051
    [download]

  • Bräcker LB*, Siju KP*, Varela N, Zhang M, Aso Y, Vasconcelos ML, Grunwald Kadow IC (2013).
    Essential role of the mushroom body in context-dependent CO₂avoidance in Drososphila.
    Current Biololgy 23(13):1228-34. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2013.05.029. Epub 2013 Jun 13 * equal contribution
    [download]

  • Hein I, Suzuki T, Grunwald Kadow IC (2013).
    Gogo receptor contributes to retinotopic map formation and prevents R1- photoreceptor axon bundling.
    PLoS One 8(6):e66868. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066868
    [download]

2012

  • Stephan D, Sanchez-Soriano N, Loschek LF, Gerhards R, Gutmann S, Storchova Z, Prokop A and Grunwald Kadow IC (2012).
    Drosophila Psidin regulates olfactory neuron number and axon targeting through two distinct molecular mechanisms.
    Journal of Neuroscience 32(46):16080-94
    [download]

  • Otranto D, Cantacessi C, Lia RP, Grunwald Kadow IC, Siju KP, Dantas-Torres F, Máca J (2012).
    First laboratory Culture of Phortica variegata (Diptera, Steganinae), the Thelazia callipaeda Vector.
    Journal of Vector Ecology 37(2): 458-61
    [download]

2011

  • Hartl M, Loschek LF, Stephan D, Siju KP, Knappmeyer C, Grunwald Kadow IC (2011).
    A New Prospero and microRNA-279 Pathway Restricts CO2 Receptor Neuron Formation.
    Journal of Neuroscience 31(44): 15660-73
    [download]

2008

  • Cayirlioglu P*, Grunwald Kadow I*, Zhan X, Okamura K, Gunning D, Lai EC, Zipursky SL (2008).
    Hybrid Neurons in a microRNA mutant are putative evolutionary intermediates in insect CO2 sensory systems.
    Science 319: 1256-1260 * equal contribution
    [download]

2007

  • Jones WD, Cayirlioglu P, Grunwald Kadow I, Vosshall LB (2007).
    Two chemosensory receptors together mediate carbon dioxide detection in Drosophila.
    Nature 445: 86-90
    [download]

2001-2004

  • Grunwald IC*, Korte M*, Adelmann G, Plueck A, Kullander K, Adams RH, Frotscher M, Bonhoeffer T, Klein R (2004).
    Hippocampal plasticity requires postsynaptic ephrinBs.
    Nature Neuroscience 7: 33-40 * equal contribution
    [download]

  • Zorner B, Wolfer DP, Brandis D, Kretz O, Zacher C, Madani R, Grunwald I, Lipp HP, Klein R, Henn FA, Gass P (2003).
    Forebrain-specific trkB-receptor knockout mice: behaviorally more hyperactive than "depressive".
    Biol Psychiatry 54: 972-982 
    [download]

  • Grunwald IC, Klein R (2002).
    Axon guidance: receptor complexes and signaling mechanisms.
    Current Opinion Neurobiology 12: 250-259
    [download]

  • Grunwald IC*, Korte M*, Wolfer D, Wilkinson GA, Unsicker K, Lipp HP, Bonhoeffer T, Klein R (2001)
    Kinase-independent requirement of EphB2 receptors in hippocampal synaptic plasticity.
    Neuron 32: 1027-1040 * equal contribution
    [download]

Reviews

  • Siju KP, De Backer JF, Grunwald Kadow IC. Dopamine modulation of sensory processing and adaptive behavior in flies, Cell and Tissue Research, Special Issue on Olfactory Coding and Circuitries, in press.

  • Grunwald Kadow, IC (2018). State-dependent plasticity of innate behavior in fruit flies. Current Opinion in Neurobiology Volume 54, online [link]

  • Sayın, S*, Boehm, AC*, Kobler, J*, De Backer, JF, and Grunwald Kadow, IC (2018).
    Internal state dependent odor processing and perception - the role of neuromodulation in the fly olfactory system.
    Frontiers of Cellular Neuroscience, in press. * equal contribution [link]

  • Gaspar Jekely, Sarah Melzer, Isabel Beets, Ilona C. Grunwald Kadow, Joris Koene, Sara Haddad, and Lindy Holden-Dye.
    The long and the short of it: A perspective on peptidergic regulation of circuits and behaviour.
    Journal of Experimental Biology  2018  221: jeb166710 doi: 10.1242/jeb.166710  Published 8 February 2018 [download]

  • Siju KP, Bräcker LB, Grunwald Kadow IC (2014).
    Neural mechanisms of context-dependent modification of CO2 avoidance behavior in fruit flies.
    Fly 8:68-74. doi: 10.4161/fly.28000 [download]

  • Hartl M, Grunwald-Kadow IC (2013).
    New roles for ‘old’ microRNAs in nervous system function and disease.
    Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2013.00051
    [download]

  • Grunwald IC, Klein R (2002).
    Axon guidance: receptor complexes and signaling mechanisms.
    Current Opinion Neurobiology 12: 250-259
    [download]