Annette Beck-Sickinger

Last updated
Annette Gabriele Beck-Sickinger
Born
Annette Gabriele Beck-Sickinger

(1960-10-28) 28 October 1960 (age 63)
Nationality German
Alma mater University of Tübingen
Known forGPCR research, peptide hormones, peptide and protein modification
Scientific career
Institutions University of Leipzig
Website

Annette Gabriele Beck-Sickinger (born 28 October 1960 [1] ) is a German chemist and biologist. She has been a full professor of Biochemistry and Bioorganic Chemistry at the University of Leipzig since 1999.

Contents

Career

Annette G. Beck-Sickinger studied chemistry (diploma in 1986) and biology (diploma in 1990) at the University of Tübingen (Germany) and received her Ph.D. under the supervision of Günther Jung (Organic Chemistry, University of Tübingen).

Since October 1999, she is a full professor of Biochemistry and Bioorganic Chemistry at the University of Leipzig. In 2009, she spent a sabbatical at Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN) as visiting professor.

Annette Beck-Sickinger was a member of the Board of the German Chemical Society (Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker, 2004–2012; Vice-president 2006–2008) and of the DFG panel "Biochemistry" (2004–2012). Since 2017, she is a member of the Board of the German Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (gbm) and vice-president. She was a member of the German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat) from 2012 to 2018, and has been awarded with many prizes including the Leonidas Zervas Award of the European Peptide Society, the gold medal of the Max-Bergmann-Kreis, the Leipzig Science Award (2016) and the Albrecht Kossel Price of the German Chemical Society (2018). She was honoured with the membership of the Saxonian Academy of Science in 2009 and in 2012 became an elected member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. In 2017, she was awarded with the Saxonian Order of Merit.[ citation needed ]

She is a member of the German Chemical Society, the Saxonian Academy of Sciences [2] and the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. [3] She is known for her work on peptide signaling; she has coauthored reference works on combinatorial chemistry as applied to peptides [4] and has participated in International Union of Pharmacology projects on standardization of nomenclature for G protein-coupled receptor peptide ligands. [5]

Controversy

In March 2015, Beck-Sickinger was at the center of a controversy related to comments made during correspondence with an internship applicant in which she stated she would not accept any male students from India. [6] [7] [8] [9]

The university declined to publish e-mails between Prof. Dr. Annette Beck-Sickinger and the student from India. However, the rector of the university, Prof. Dr. Beate Schücking as well as the students council of the university had the opportunity to review all relevant e-mails. Two independent statements have been published claiming that the mail published by the Indian student was faked as it only contained parts of the email conversation and that the student was declined for formal reasons. [10] [11]

Germany's ambassador to India wrote a letter condemning Beck-Sickinger and, stating: "Your oversimplifying and discriminating generalisation is an offence to women and men ardently committed to furthering women's empowerment in India; and is an offence to millions of law-abiding, tolerant, open-minded and hard-working Indians. Let's be clear: India is not a country of rapists," he wrote. [12] [13] "I would encourage you to learn more about the diverse, dynamic and fascinating country and the many welcoming and open-minded people of India so that you could correct a simplistic image, which – in my opinion – is particularly unsuitable for a professor and teacher." [14] [15] [16] [17] [18]

Selected bibliography

Books

Journal articles

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neuropeptide Y</span> Mammalian protein found in Homo sapiens

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a 36 amino-acid neuropeptide that is involved in various physiological and homeostatic processes in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. It is secreted alongside other neurotransmitters such as GABA and glutamate. 

β-Endorphin Peptide hormone in humans

β-Endorphin (beta-endorphin) is an endogenous opioid neuropeptide and peptide hormone that is produced in certain neurons within the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. It is one of three endorphins that are produced in humans, the others of which include α-endorphin and γ-endorphin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agouti-related peptide</span> Mammalian protein found in Homo sapiens

Agouti-related protein (AgRP), also called agouti-related peptide, is a neuropeptide produced in the brain by the AgRP/NPY neuron. It is synthesized in neuropeptide Y (NPY)-containing cell bodies located in the ventromedial part of the arcuate nucleus in the hypothalamus. AgRP is co-expressed with NPY and acts to increase appetite and decrease metabolism and energy expenditure. It is one of the most potent and long-lasting of appetite stimulators. In humans, the agouti-related peptide is encoded by the AGRP gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opioid peptide</span> Class of peptides that bind to opioid receptors

Opioid peptides or opiate peptides are peptides that bind to opioid receptors in the brain; opiates and opioids mimic the effect of these peptides. Such peptides may be produced by the body itself, for example endorphins. The effects of these peptides vary, but they all resemble those of opiates. Brain opioid peptide systems are known to play an important role in motivation, emotion, attachment behaviour, the response to stress and pain, control of food intake, and the rewarding effects of alcohol and nicotine.

Neuropeptide Y receptors are a family of receptors belonging to class A G-protein coupled receptors and they are activated by the closely related peptide hormones neuropeptide Y, peptide YY and pancreatic polypeptide. These receptors are involved in the control of a diverse set of behavioral processes including appetite, circadian rhythm, and anxiety.

The neuropeptide FF receptors are members of the G-protein coupled receptor superfamily of integral membrane proteins which bind the pain modulatory neuropeptides AF and FF. The Neuropeptide FF receptor family is a member of the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily containing two subtypes, NPFF1 and NPFF2, which exhibit a high affinity for Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) peptides. NPFF1 is broadly distributed in the central nervous system with the highest levels found in the limbic system and the hypothalamus. NPFF2 is present in high density, particularly in mammals in the superficial layers of the spinal cord where it is involved in nociception and modulation of opioid functions. These receptors participate to the modulation of opioid receptor function in the brain and spinal cord, and can either reduce or increase opioid receptor function depending which tissue they are released in, reflecting a complex role for neuropeptide FF in pain responses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CMKLR1</span> Protein-coding gene in humans

Chemokine like receptor 1 also known as ChemR23 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CMKLR1 gene. Chemokine receptor-like 1 is a G protein-coupled receptor for the chemoattractant adipokine chemerin and the omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid-derived specialized pro-resolving molecule, resolvin E1. The murine receptor that shares almost 80% homology with the human receptor, is called Dez.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hypocretin (orexin) receptor 1</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Orexin receptor type 1 (Ox1R or OX1), also known as hypocretin receptor type 1 (HcrtR1), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HCRTR1 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hypocretin (orexin) receptor 2</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Orexin receptor type 2 (Ox2R or OX2), also known as hypocretin receptor type 2 (HcrtR2), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HCRTR2 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neuropeptide Y receptor Y1</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Neuropeptide Y receptor type 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NPY1R gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neuropeptide Y receptor Y2</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Neuropeptide Y receptor type 2 (Y2R) is a member of the neuropeptide Y receptor family of G-protein coupled receptors, that in humans is encoded by the NPY2R gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neuropeptide Y receptor Y5</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Neuropeptide Y receptor type 5 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NPY5R gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pancreatic polypeptide receptor 1</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Pancreatic polypeptide receptor 1, also known as Neuropeptide Y receptor type 4, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PPYR1 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morten P. Meldal</span> Danish chemist (born 1954)

Morten Peter Meldal is a Danish chemist and Nobel laureate. He is a professor of chemistry at the University of Copenhagen in Copenhagen, Denmark. He is best known for developing the CuAAC-click reaction, concurrently with but independent of Valery V. Fokin and K. Barry Sharpless.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BIBP-3226</span> Chemical compound

BIBP-3226 is a drug used in scientific research which acts as a potent and selective antagonist for both the Neuropeptide Y receptor Y1 and also the neuropeptide FF receptor. It was the first non-peptide antagonist developed for the Y1 receptor and has been widely used to help determine its functions in the body. Activation of Y1 is thought to be involved in functions such as regulation of appetite and anxiety, and BIBP-3226 has anxiogenic and anorectic effects, as well as blocking the Y1-mediated corticotropin releasing hormone release. It has also been used as a lead compound to develop a number of newer more potent Y1 antagonists.

UR-AK49 is a drug used in scientific research which acts as a potent antagonist for the Neuropeptide Y / Pancreatic polypeptide receptor Y4, and also as a partial agonist at the histamine receptors H1 and H2. UR-AK49 is a pure antagonist at Y4 with no partial agonist effects, and although it is only slightly selective for Y4 over the related Y1 and Y5 receptors, as the first non-peptide Y4 antagonist developed UR-AK49 is expected to be useful in the study of this receptor and its role in the body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neuropeptide S</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a neuropeptide found in human and mammalian brain, mainly produced by neurons in the amygdala and between Barrington's nucleus and the locus coeruleus, although NPS-responsive neurons extend projections into many other brain areas. NPS binds specifically to a G protein-coupled receptor, NPSR. Animal studies show that NPS suppresses anxiety and appetite, induces wakefulness and hyperactivity, including hyper-sexuality, and plays a significant role in the extinction of conditioned fear. It has also been shown to significantly enhance dopamine activity in the mesolimbic pathway, and inhibits motility and increases permeability in neurocrine fashion acting through NO in the myenteric plexus in rats and humans.

The Leipzig University internship controversy was a period in the spring of 2015 during which public concern was expressed about a member of the Leipzig University's faculty's apparent racist attitudes towards foreign candidates. The affair had political, academic and diplomatic fallout.

Jens Meiler is a German-American biologist and structural chemist. He currently serves as a Professor of Chemistry and Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Biomedical Informatics at Vanderbilt University. His research focuses on protein structures and computational biology, drawing on interdisciplinary techniques from other sciences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Günther Jung</span> German chemist

Günther Jung is a German chemist. He was professor for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Tübingen from 1973 to 2002.

References

  1. ↑ "Profile: Annette G. Beck-Sickinger, Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil". Sächsische Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Leipzig.
  2. ↑ "Prof. Dr. Annette Beck-Sickinger". University of Leipzig. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  3. ↑ "List of members: Prof. Dr. Annette G. Beck-Sickinger". Leopoldina Nationale Akademie der Wissenschaften.
  4. ↑ Beck-Sickinger, Annette; Soderman, Peter Weber (2002). Combinatorial strategies in biology and chemistry. Translated by Michael Weir Allan. Chichester: John Wiley. ISBN   0471497274.
  5. ↑ Michel, MC; Beck-Sickinger, A; Cox, H; Doods, HN; Herzog, H; Larhammar, D; Quirion, R; Schwartz, T; Westfall, T (March 1998). "XVI. International Union of Pharmacology recommendations for the nomenclature of neuropeptide Y, peptide YY, and pancreatic polypeptide receptors". Pharmacological Reviews . 50 (1). American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics: 143–50. PMID   9549761.
  6. ↑ Mascherin, Von Claudia (9 March 2015). "Keine Inder - das sind Vergewaltiger!". Blick (in German). Ringier . Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  7. ↑ Varghese, Johnlee (9 March 2015). "German professor apologises for denying internship to Indian student, citing 'rape problem'". International Business Times . Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  8. ↑ Phillip, Abby (9 March 2015). "German professor cites India's 'rape problem' in rejection of Indian applicant". The Washington Post. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  9. ↑ Wendling, Mike (11 March 2015). "Second student allegedly rejected because of India's 'rape problem'". BBC Trending. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  10. ↑ Universität Leipzig. "Universität Leipzig: Nachrichten". Archived from the original on June 12, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Statement in der Causa Beck-Sickinger". StuRa Leipzig. Archived from the original on June 12, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Second student allegedly rejected because of India's 'rape problem'". BBC News. 11 March 2015.
  13. ↑ "Professor apologizes for India rape comments". 10 March 2015.
  14. ↑ India is not a country of rapists: German envoy to discriminating German professor (The Hindu)
  15. ↑ Prof rejects Indian intern over 'rape problem'
  16. ↑ German Professor Apologises for Denying Internship to Indian Student, Citing 'Rape Problem' (India Business Times)
  17. ↑ German professor denies internship to Indian student citing India's 'rape problem' (Deccan Chronicle)
  18. ↑ German professor apologises for rejecting internship to student citing 'India's rape problem' (Hindustan Times)
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