Dr. Elmar Josef Prenner
Positions
Member
Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute
Contact information
Background
Educational Background
Biochemistry Biophysics, Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1995
Biochemistry Membrane Biophysics, University of Alberta, 1995
Diplomingenieur der Technischen Wissenschaften Membrane Biophysics, Technische Universitat Graz, 1988
Doktor der Technischen Wissenschaften Chemistry, Technische Universitat Graz, 1993
Postdoctoral Fellow Biophysical Chemistry, University of Alberta, 1995
Biography
Dr. Prenner received his first degree of Diplom Ingenieur in biochemistry and food chemistry at the University of Technology in Graz, Austria. Subsequently, he completed a PhD in the university’s department of biochemistry. During this time, he also worked as a research assistant for several other departments by developing bioassays.
Next, supported by an EMBO postdoctoral fellowship, he worked in the group of Dietmar Möbius at the Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Goettingen, Germany. This research was on biologically relevant applications of Brewster angle microscopy, which is one of the main methods in his lab. After a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Alberta, he joined the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Calgary in 2002 as an AHFMR scholar.
Dr. Prenner was the founding president of Aqua Screen (later D-Tex) and in 2014, he was the founding president of Alberta BioPhotonics which focused on the development of new instruments for various industries, including water quality analysis.
Research
Areas of Research
- Biomembrane architecture (lipid rafts, domains)
- Lipid-protein interactions
- Nanoparticle based pulmonary drug delivery
- Bioinorganic chemistry (membrane interactions of heavy metals)
- Bioanalytical chemistry (bioassay development)
- Biophysical techniques
Dr. Prenner’s research group investigates the role of lipid composition of membrane organization (domains) and the effect of metal and drug interactions. Model and complex biomimetic membranes are compared to extracts and entire cells.
One area of particular interest is the lateral organization and function of lung surfactant. A complex model system has been established and is compared to natural extracts. These systems are used to understand the effect on biodegradable and metallic nanoparticles as well as the effect of vaping additives.
Our lab has developed a series of hand-held instruments, which can be used in a variety of applications from water analysis and environmental protection to health care. This work includes the development of assay to screen of environmental water samples for ions in water (e.g. Na+, K+, CL-, Ca++, Mg++, Hg++, Cd++Pb++).
Participation in university strategic initiatives
Courses
| Course number | Course title | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| BCEM 471 | Physical Biochemistry | Fall 2022 |
| BIOL 601.01 | Biochemistry I | Fall 2022 |
| BCEM 393 | Introduction to Biochemistry | Winter 2023 |
| BCEM 413 | Laboratory Techniques II | Winter 2023 |
| BCEM 575 | Lipids | Winter 2023 |
| BIOL 601.02 | Biochemistry II | Winter 2023 |
| CMMB 451 | Molecular Analysis of Biological Systems | Winter 2023 |
Awards
- Poster prize by the Petroleum Tech Alliance of Canada for the 'most innovative water-related technology', 2006
- AHFMR Scholar award grant, 2002
Publications
- DSC application: macromolecules. N.S. Berezowski*; R. Pignatello; M.H. Chiu*; E. J. Prenner. Woodhead publishing series in Biomedicine. 237 -263. (2013)
- Calorimetry methods to study membrane interactions and perturbations induced by antimicrobial host defense peptides.. Mauricio Arias; Hans J Vogel; Elmar J Prenner. Springer. 119-140. (2017)
- Differential Scanning Calorimetry. Chiu MH*; Elmar Josef J Prenner; Berezowski NS*. Woodhead Publishing. 237 -263. (2013)
- Biomimetic model membrane systems serve as increasingly valuable in vitro tools. Litzenberger JK*; Elmar Josef J Prenner; Anne George; Le MTT*. Intech. 251-276. (2011)
- Biophysical Studies of Cyclic Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides. Y Shimohigashi; M Jelokhani-Niaraki; R S Hodges; Elmar Josef J Prenner. 75-78. (2004)
- Structural Characterization of Antimicrobial Peptides. Hans J. J Vogel; Elmar Josef J Prenner; L T Nguyen. Springer. 1297-1305. (2006)
More Information
More publications
- T. Abraham, E.J. Prenner, R.N.A.H. Lewis, C.T. Manz, R.S. Hodges and R.N. McElhaney Structure-Activity Relationships of the Antimicrobial Peptide Gramicidin S and its Analogues: Aqueous Solubility, Self Association, Conformation, Antimicrobial Activity and Interaction with Lipid Bilayer Model Membranes Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1838 (2014) 1420-142
- M.T. Le, M. Hassanin, M. Mahadeo, J. Gailer, E.J. Prenner∗ Hg- and Cd-induced modulation of lipid packing and monolayer fluidity in biomimetic erythrocyte model systems. Chemistry and Physics of Lipids 170– 171 (2013) 46– 54
- S. Nathoo, J.K. Litzenberger, D. Bay, R.J. Turner, and E.J. Prenner* Visualizing a multidrug resistance protein, EmrE, with major bacterial lipids using Brewster angle microscopy Chem Phys Lipids 167– 168 (2013) 33– 42
- T. Gröger, S. Nathoo, T. Ku, C. Sikora, R. J. Turner and E. J. Prenner* Real-time imaging of lipid domains and distinct coexisting membrane protein clusters Chem. Phys. Lipids 165 (2012) 216-224
- M. H. Chiu and E. J. Prenner* Differential scanning calorimetry: an invaluable tool for a detailed thermodynamic characterization of macromolecules and their interactions. J. Pharm. BioAllied Sciences 3 (2011) 39-59 (invited review)
- S. Nathoo, J.K. Litzenberger, D. Bay, R.J. Turner, and E.J. Prenner Visualizing a multidrug resistance protein, EmrE, with major bacterial lipids using Brewster angle microscopy Chem Phys Lipids 167– 168 (2013) 33– 42
- T. Gröger, S. Nathoo, T. Ku, C. Sikora, R. J. Turner and E. J. Prenner* Real-time imaging of lipid domains and distinct coexisting membrane protein clusters Chem. Phys. Lipids 165 (2012) 216-224
- M. H. Chiu and E. J. Prenner* Differential scanning calorimetry: an invaluable tool for a detailed thermodynamic characterization of macromolecules and their interactions. J. Pharm. BioAllied Sciences 3 (2011) 39-59 (invited review)
- P. Lai, S. Nathoo, T. Ku, S. Gill, S. Azarmi, W. Roa, R. Löbenberg and E.J. Prenner. Real-time imaging of interactions between dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine monolayers and gelatin based nanoparticles using Brewster Angle Microscopy. J Biol Nanotech 6 (2010), 1-8
- E. F. Haney, S. Nathoo, H. J. Vogel and E. J. Prenner. Induction of non-lamellar lipid phases by antimicrobial peptides: A possible link to mode of action? Chem. Phys. Lipids 163 (2010) 82–93
- M. H Chiu, C.-P. L. Wan, P. M.M. Weers and E. J. Prenner. Apolipophorin III Interaction with Model Membranes Composed of Phosphatidylcholine and Sphingomyelin using Differential Scanning Calorimetry Biochim. Biophys Acta 1788 (2009) 2160–2168
- M.T. Le, J. Gailer and E. J. Prenner. Hg++ and Cd++ interact differently with biomimetic erythrocyte membranes Biometals 22 (2009) 261-274
- T. Ku, S. Gill, R. Löbenberg, S. Azarmi, W. Roa and E. J. Prenner. Size Dependent Interactions of Nanoparticles with Lung Surfactant Model Systems and the Significant Impact on Surface Potential. J Nanosci Nanotech 8 (2008) 2971-2978
- V.V. Andrushchenko, M.H. Aarabi, L.T. Nguyen, E.J. Prenner and H.J. Vogel. Thermodynamics of the Interactions of Tryptophan-Rich Cathelicidin Antimicrobial Peptides with Model and Natural Membranes Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1778 (2008) 1004-1014
- V.V. Andrushchenko, H.J. Vogel and E.J. Prenner. Interactions of Tryptophan-Rich Cathelicidin Antimicrobial Peptides with Model Membranes Studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1768 (2007) 2447-2458
- S. Gill, R. Loebenberg, T. Ku, S. Arzami, W. Roa and E. J. Prenner. Nanoparticles: Characteristics, Mechanisms of Action and Toxicity in Pulmonary Drug Delivery-A Review. J Biomed Nanotech. 2 (2007) 107-119
- E.J. Prenner, G. Honsek, D. Hönig, D. Möbius and K. Lohner. Biophysical investigations and imaging of the lateral organization of sphingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine monolayers. Chem. Phys. Lipids 145 (2007) 106-118
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