Research

The research activities of Gabriele Stangl mainly comprise the physiological and molecular mechanisms of nutrients, biofunctional food ingredients and nutrient-regulated transcription factors on the energy and lipid metabolism. The results of her research are highly significant for preventive medicine and contribute to gain insight into the molecular function of energy restriction and nutrients such as lipids, plant proteins and vitamin D on metabolism.

Following her appointment to the University of Halle in 2004, she focused on the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors and the vitamin D receptor in nutrition. She was able to demonstrate novel functions for both nuclear transcription factors. Cell culture experiments and studies with animal models have shown, for example, that vitamin D deficiency stimulates vascular calcification and the synthesis of osteoblast differentiation factors.