Prof. Dr. Julia Bornhorst

P7: Consequences of TE dyshomeostasis and TE induced neurotoxicity on inflammation in C. elegans

University of Wuppertal
Food Chemistry
Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Gaußstraße 20
42119 Wuppertal
Germany

Specific Qualification in TraceAge

The general research area of Julia Bornhorst and her research group focuses on the neurotoxicity of essential trace elements, especially Mn. In order to get insights in the modes of action of Mn-induced neurotoxicity, the Bornhorst group used different in vitro techniques to compare cytotoxic effects, genotoxic effects, bioavailability, the effect on oxidative stress parameters including reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) induction or ATP amount as well as the impact of Mn on the DNA damage response in different brain cells. Additionally, we applied in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-CSF models to clarify the transfer of Mn into the brain. A recently established in vitro placenta model of human villous trophoblasts will give further insights in the underlying mechanisms of Mn transfer through the placental barrier model. In vivo studies using Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) allowed the Bornhorst group and co-workers to study the interaction of trace elements homeostasis and genetics. Since the worm comprises a complete nervous system consisting of 302 neurons that use an array of neurotransmitters, receptors and signaling mechanisms that are similar to the mammalian brain, the worm has been used for modeling of neurodegeneration. Altogether, the nematode allows a three-way intersection of neurodegeneration, genetics and TE levels as environmental risk factor which will represent key gaps in our understanding of disease etiologies. The expertise of the Bornhorst group comprises the quantification of oxidative stress endpoints and neurotoxicity endpoints in C. elegans in wildtype worms as well as in the background of neurodegenerative disease models.

Qualifications and Scientific Career

Since 01/2019	W2 Professorship for Food Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Wuppertal, Germany
05/2018	Offer (“Ruf”) W2 Professorship for Food Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Wuppertal, Germany
10/2017–09/2018	Substitute W2 professor (“Vertretungsprofessorin”) for Food Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Wuppertal, Germany
Since 01/2014	“Habilitandin” in the research group of Prof. Dr. Tanja Schwerdtle, Institute of Nutritional Science, Department of Food Chemistry, University of Potsdam
11/2013–12/2013	Postdoctoral researcher in the research group of Prof. Dr. Tanja Schwerdtle, Institute of Food Chemistry, WWU Münster
10/2012–10/2013	Postdoctoral researcher in the research group of Prof. Dr. Michael Aschner, Department of Pediatrics and Toxicology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, USA
06/2012–09/2012	Member of the NRW Graduate School of Chemistry as postdoctoral researcher
10/2009–06/2012	Selected Member of the NRW Graduate School of Chemistry as PhD student as one of 18 servitors in a selection procedure of 400 international students
01/2009–06/2012	PhD thesis in the research group of Prof. Dr. Tanja Schwerdtle, Institute of Food Chemistry, WWU Münster (summa cum laude)
11/2008	1st State Examination for Food Chemists, Institute of Food Chemistry, WWU Münster (excellent)
03/2008–10/2008	Research thesis in the research group of Prof. Dr. Hans-Ulrich Humpf, Institute of Food Chemistry, WWU Münster
10/2004–11/2008	Studies of Food Chemistry, Faculty 12, WWU Münster

Membership in Scientific Committees

Since 2018
Member of the “Deutscher Hochschulverband”

Since 2017
Member of the DFG Research Unit TraceAge

Since 2015
Member of the Potsdam graduate school (Postdoc representative 04/2016 - 04/2018)

Since 2012
German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT)

10/2011–10/2012
Student Member of the NRW Graduate School of Chemistry Committee

Since 2009
Member of the German Society for Research on DNA Repair (DGDR)

Since 2009
Member of the Society of Food Chemistry (LChG/GDCh)

Since 2009
Member of the German Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society (GUM) (board member since 2015)

Since 2009
Member of European Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society (EEMGS)

Since 2009
Member of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS) (board member since 2019)