Dr. Ralf Zwacka graduated in 1990 with a B.Sc. (Biochemistry and Applied Molecular Biology) from the University of Manchester, UK. In December 1990 he started as Ph.D. student in Prof. Hans Weiher lab at the Research Centre Karlsruhe, Germany working on the project "The Human Homologue of the Murine Glomeruloclerosis Gene Mpv17". In 1995, Dr. Zwacka was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania in the Institute for Human Gene Therapy to investigate the role of redox-modulating enzymes (MnSOD, CuZnSOD, Catalase) in liver ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the liver and their potential therapeutic use. Dr. Zwacka returned to the UK in August 1997 to take up a faculty position at the University of Edinburgh, Department of Oncology. In 2001 Dr. Zwacka was awarded an Emmy-Noether fellowship from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation) to set up his research group at the University of Ulm, Germany. For the last 5 years Dr. Zwacka has been at the NCBES in Galway continuing his work on apoptosis, cancer and cell-gene therapy.

Original papers

1.      Albarenque SM, Zwacka RM, Mohr A. Both human and mouse mesenchymal stem cells promote breast cancer metastasis. Stem Cell Research. 2011; 7: 163-71.

2.      Stadel D, Mohr A, Ref C, MacFarlane M, Zhou S, Humphreys R, Bachem M, Cohen G, Möller P, Zwacka RM, Debatin KM, Fulda S. TRAIL-induced apoptosis is preferentially mediated via TRAIL receptor 1 in pancreatic carcinoma cells and profoundly enhanced by XIAP inhibitors. Clinical Cancer Research. 2010; 16: 5734-49.

3.      Mohr A, Albarenque SM, Yu R, Reidy M, Deedigan L, Fulda S, Zwacka RM. Targeting of XIAP combined with systemic Mesenchymal Stem Cell-mediated delivery of sTRAIL inhibits metastatic growth of pancreatic carcinoma cells. Stem Cells. 2010; 28: 2109-20.

4.      Büneker C, Mohr A, Zwacka RM. The TRAIL-Receptor-1:TRAIL-Receptor-3 & -4 ratio is a predictor for TRAIL sensitivity of cancer cells. Onc Reports. 2009; 21:1289-95. (IF: 1.7)

5.      Murray TV, McMahon JM, Howley BA, Stanley A, Ritter T, Mohr A, Zwacka R, Fearnhead HO. A non-apoptotic role for caspase-9 in muscle differentiation. J Cell Sci. 2008; 121: 3786-93. (IF: 6.3)

6.      Mohr A, Lyons M, Deedigan L, Harte T, Shaw G, Howard L, Barry F, O'Brien T, Zwacka R. Mesenchymal Stem Cells expressing TRAIL lead to tumour growth inhibition in an experimental lung cancer model. J Cell Mol Med. 2008; 12: 2628-43. (IF: 4.6)

7.      Mohr A, Buneker C, Gough R, Zwacka RM. MnSOD protects colorectal cancer cells from TRAIL-induced apoptosis by inhibition of Smac/DIABLO release. Oncogene 2008; 27: 763-74.  (IF: 7.4)

8.      Weiher H, Zwacka RM. Vitamin D3-24-Hydroxylase (CYP24) as a Potential Target for Intervention with Diabetic and Nondiabetic Nephropathy. Clin Lab. 2007; 53: 85-88. (IF: 0.8)

9.      Mohr A, Zwacka RM. In situ trapping of initiator caspases reveals intermediate surprises. Cell Biol Int. 2007; 31: 526-30. (IF: 1.7)

10.  La Ferla-Bruhl K, Westhoff MA, Karl S, Kasperczyk H, Zwacka RM, Debatin KM, Fulda S. NF-kappaB-independent sensitization of glioblastoma cells for TRAIL-induced apoptosis by proteasome inhibition. Oncogene. 2007; 26: 571-82. (IF: 7.4)

11.  Braeuer SJ, Buneker C, Mohr A, Zwacka RM. Constitutively activated nuclear factor-kappaB, but not induced NF-kappaB, leads to TRAIL resistance by up-regulation of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein in human cancer cells. Mol Cancer Res. 2006; 4: 715-28. (IF: 4.4)

12.  Behrend L, Mohr A, Dick T, Zwacka RM. MnSOD induces p53-dependent senescence in colorectal cancer cells. Mol Cell Biol. 2005; 25: 7758-7769. (IF: 6.2)

13.  Mohr A, Zwacka RM, Jarmy G, Büneker C, Schrezenmeier H, Döhner K, Beltinger C, Wiesneth M, Debatin K-M, Stahnke K. Caspase-8L expression protects CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells and leukemic cells from CD95-mediated apoptosis. Oncogene 2005; 24: 2421-2429. (IF: 7.4)

14.  kasperczyk H,  La Ferla-Brühl K, Westhoff MA, Behrend L, Zwacka RM, Debatin K-M, Fulda S. Betulinic acid as new activator of NF-kappaB: Molecular mechanisms and implications for cancer therapy. Oncogene. 2005; 24: 6945-56. (IF: 7.4)

15.  Mohr A, Zwacka RM, Debatin KM, Stahnke K.  A novel method for the combined flow cytometric analysis of cell cycle and cytochrome c release. Cell Death Differ. 2004; 11:153-4. (IF: 9.1)

16.  Mohr A, Henderson G, Dudus L, Herr I, Kuerschner T, Debatin K-M, Weiher H, Fisher K, Zwacka RM. AAV-encoded expression of TRAIL in experimental human colorectal cancer leads to tumour regression. Gene Therapy. 2004; 11:535-545. (IF: 4.5)

17.  Stark LA, Din FV, Zwacka RM, Dunlop MG. Aspirin-induced activation of the NF-kappaB signaling pathway: a novel mechanism for aspirin-mediated apoptosis in colon cancer cells.  FASEB J.2001;15:1273-5. (IF: 6.5)

18.  Zhou W, Zhang Y, Hosch MS, Lang A, Zwacka RM, Engelhardt JF. Subcellular site of superoxide dismutase expression differentially controls AP-1 activity and injury in mouse liver following ischemia/reperfusion.  Hepatology 2001; 33:902-14. (IF: 10.9)

19.  Zanetti M, Zwacka R, Engelhardt J, Katusic Z, O'Brien T. Superoxide anions and endothelial cell proliferation in normoglycemia and hyperglycemia.  Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2001; 21:195-200. (IF: 7.2)

20.  Zwacka RM, Stark L, Dunlop MG. NF-kappaB kinetics predetermine TNF-alpha sensitivity of colorectal cancer cells.  J Gene Med. 2000; 2:334-43. (IF: 3.1)

21.  Fritz E, Friedl AA, Zwacka RM, Eckardt-Schupp F, Meyn MS. The yeast TEL1 gene partially substitutes for human ATM in suppressing hyperrecombination, radiation-induced apoptosis and telomere shortening in A-T cells.  Mol Biol Cell 2000; 11:2605-16. (IF: 5.9)

22.  Lam EW, Hammad HM, Zwacka R, Darby CJ, Baumgardner KR, Davidson BL, Oberley TD, Engelhardt JF, Oberley LW. Immunolocalization and adenoviral vector-mediated manganese superoxide dismutase gene transfer to experimental oral tumours.  J Dent Res.2000; 79:1410-7. (IF: 3.8)

23.  Clozel M, Hess P, Fischli W, Loffler BM, Zwacka RM, Reuter A, Weiher H. Age-dependent hypertension in Mpv17-deficient mice, a transgenic model of glomerulosclerosis and inner ear disease.  Exp Gerontol. 1999; 34:1007-1015. (IF: 3.8)

24.  Lam EW, Zwacka R, Seftor EA, Nieva DR, Davidson BL, Engelhardt JF, Hendrix MJ, Oberley LW. Effects of antioxidant enzyme overexpression on the invasive phenotype of hamster cheek pouch carcinoma cells.  Free Radic Biol Med. 1999; 27:572-579. (IF: 5.7)

25.  Brown MR, Miller FJ, Li WG, Ellingson AN, Mozena JD, Chatterjee P, Engelhardt JF, Zwacka RM, Oberley LW, Fang X, Spector AA, Weintraub NL. Overexpression of human catalase inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells.  Circ Res. 1999; 85:524-533. (IF: 9.5)

26.  Epperly MW, Bray JA, Krager S, Berry LM, Gooding W, Engelhardt JF, Zwacka R, Travis EL, Greenberger JS. Intratracheal injection of adenovirus containing the human MnSOD transgene protects athymic nude mice from irradiation-induced organizing alveolitis.  Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 1999; 43:169-181. (IF: 4.5)

27.  Woo YJ, Zhang JC, Vijayasarathy C, Zwacka RM, Englehardt JF, Gardner TJ, Sweeney HL. Recombinant adenovirus-mediated cardiac gene transfer of superoxide dismutase and catalase attenuates postischemic contractile dysfunction.  Circulation. 1998; 98:II255-II260. (IF: 14.4)

28.  Zwacka RM, Zhang Y, Zhou W, Halldorson J, Engelhardt JF. Ischemia/reperfusion injury in the liver of BALB/c mice activates AP-1 and nuclear factor kappaB independently of IkappaB degradation.  Hepatology. 1998; 28:1022-1030. (IF: 10.9)

29.  Reuter A, Nestl A, Zwacka RM, Tuckermann J, Waldherr R, Wagner EM, Hoyhtya M, Meyer zum Gottesberge AM, Angel P, Weiher H. Expression of the recessive glomerulosclerosis gene Mpv17 regulates MMP-2 expression in fibroblasts, the kidney, and the inner ear of mice.  Mol Biol Cell. 1998; 9:1675-1682. (IF: 5.9)

30.  Zwacka RM, Dudus L, Epperly MW, Greenberger JS, Engelhardt JF. Redox gene therapy protects human IB-3 lung epithelial cells against ionizing radiation-induced apoptosis.  Hum Gene Ther. 1998; 9:1381-1386. (IF: 4.8)

31.  Zwacka RM, Zhou W, Zhang Y, Darby CJ, Dudus L, Halldorson J, Oberley L, Engelhardt JF. Redox gene therapy for ischemia/reperfusion injury of the liver reduces AP1 and NF-kappaB activation.  Nat Med. 1998; 4:698-704. (IF: 25.4)

32.  Gonzalez-Zulueta M, Ensz LM, Mukhina G, Lebovitz RM, Zwacka RM, Engelhardt JF, Oberley LW, Dawson VL, Dawson TM. Manganese superoxide dismutase protects nNOS neurons from NMDA and nitric oxide-mediated neurotoxicity.  J Neurosci. 1998; 18:2040-2055. (IF: 7.3)

33.  Fang X, Weintraub NL, Rios CD, Chappell DA, Zwacka RM, Engelhardt JF, Oberley LW, Yan T, Heistad DD, Spector AA. Overexpression of human superoxide dismutase inhibits oxidation of low-density lipoprotein by endothelial cells. Circ Res. 1998; 82:1289-97. (IF: 9.5)

34.  Epperly M, Bray J, Kraeger S, Zwacka R, Engelhardt J, Travis E, Greenberger J. Prevention of late effects of irradiation lung damage by manganese superoxide dismutase gene therapy.  Gene Ther. 1998; 5:196-208. (IF: 4.5)

35.  Muller M, Smolders JW, Meyer zum Gottesberge AM, Reuter A, Zwacka RM, Weiher H, Klinke R. Loss of auditory function in transgenic Mpv17-deficient mice.  Hear Res. 1997; 114:259-263. (IF: 2.4)

36.  Lam EW, Zwacka R, Engelhardt JF, Davidson BL, Domann FE, Yan T, Oberley LW. Adenovirus-mediated manganese superoxide dismutase gene transfer to hamster cheek pouch carcinoma cells.  Cancer Res. 1997; 57:5550-5556. (IF: 8.2)

37.  Zwacka RM, Zhang Y, Halldorson J, Schlossberg H, Dudus L, Engelhardt JF. CD4(+) T-lymphocytes mediate ischemia/reperfusion-induced inflammatory responses in mouse liver.  J.Clin Invest. 1997; 100:279-289. (IF: 14.2)

38.  Schenkel J, Zwacka RM, Rutenberg C, Reuter A, Waldherr R, Weiher H. Functional rescue of the glomerulosclerosis phenotype in Mpv17 mice by transgenesis with the human Mpv17 homologue.  Kidney Int. 1995; 48:80-84. (IF: 6.1)

39.  Zwacka RM, Reuter A, Pfaff E, Moll J, Gorgas K, Karasawa M, Weiher H. The glomerulosclerosis gene Mpv17 encodes a peroxisomal protein producing reactive oxygen species.  EMBO J. 1994; 13:5129-5134. (IF: 10.1)

40.  Karasawa M, Zwacka RM, Reuter A, Fink T, Hsieh CL, Lichter P, Francke U, Weiher H. The human homolog of the glomerulosclerosis gene Mpv17: structure and genomic organization.  Hum Mol Genet. 1993; 2:1829-1834. (IF: 8.1)

1.        Jäger R, Zwacka RM. The enigmatic roles of caspases in tumor development. Cancers. 2010; 2: 1952-1979. (IF: N/D)

2.      Mohr A, Lyons M, Mohr W, Zwacka RM. Gene therapy strategies for colorectal cancer. Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 2007; 132: 567-70. (IF: 0.5)

3.      Behrend L, Henderson G, Zwacka RM. Reactive oxygen species in oncogenic transformation. Biochem Soc Trans. 2003; 31:1441-4.  (IF: 4.0)

4.      Fan C, Zwacka RM, Engelhardt JF. Therapeutic approaches for ischemia/reperfusion injury in the liver.  J Mol Med. 1999; 77:577-592. (IF: 5.2)

5.      Zwacka RM, Dunlop MG. Gene therapy for colon cancer.  Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 1998; 12:595-615. (IF: 2.8)