WELCOME TO THE KUSTERLAB
At the Kusterlab we develop and apply advanced chemical biology, mass-spectrometry workflows, and computational analyses to explore proteins and their roles in health and disease. Our research aims to understand signalling networks, post-translational modifications, and drug-target interactions at scale. We apply these technologies to areas such as precision oncology, quantitative proteomics, and clinical biomarker discovery, with the goal of generating insights that support improved diagnostics and therapeutic decision-making.
We also contribute to collaborative initiatives, including CLINSPECT-Mand the Elite Network of Bavaria, and we lead the ProteomicsDB platform to make high-quality proteomic data accessible to the scientific and medical communities.
OUR RESEARCH AREAS
Explore Proteomes
With cutting-edge proteomics, we map the proteome in cells, tissues, and patient samples to reveal how proteins function, change, and drive disease. From reference maps of human, mouse, and plant systems to deep profiling of tumour proteomes, our work uncovers protein expression, signalling, and regulation. more
Decrypt Drug Action
We use high-resolution proteomics to see how drugs change protein activity, interactions, and modifications. We quantify post-translational modifications and dose-dependent protein changes with decryptM and decryptE. Using chemoproteomics, we map direct drug–protein interactions to understand how drugs act at the molecular level. more
Develop Tools and Workflows
From wet-lab experiments and high-resolution mass spectrometry to computational platforms, our tools and workflows support the study of proteins at scale. Bioinformatic tools like CurveCurator and PTMNavigator illustrate how we analyse large-scale datasets and explore protein modifications. more
OUR FLAGSHIP PROJECTS
TOPAS
By profiling the phosphoproteome of patient tumour samples and response to cancer drugs, we reveal kinase activity and signalling changes that highlight actionable targets. Integrating these insights into Molecular Tumor Boards complements genomic and transcriptomic data, enabling more precise therapy recommendations. more
ProteomicsDB
We develop and maintain ProteomicsDB, an open-access platform providing high-quality quantitative proteomics data. We integrate datasets from our lab and international collaborators, making protein expression, modifications, and spectral libraries accessible to the scientific community. more
The Proteomes that Feed the World
Plants provide the foundation of human nutrition, yet little is known about their proteomes. In this project we map proteins from the 100 most important crops. Supported by an international research network, our open-access datasets drive sustainable agriculture, nutritional research, and crop improvement worldwide. more
