The focus of our project is the molecular and functional analysis of extracellular matrix proteins in order to elucidate pathophysiological mechanisms of certain diseases. Coming from heritable disorders of extracellular matrix (Ehlers-Danlos syndrome), we want to identify the cause of acquired extracellular matrix diseases by protein chemistry, molecular biology and cellular biology. The center of interest is the analysis of posttranslational modifications of collagen, the pattern of collagen cross links and their deliberate induction or inhibtion in sclerotic skin diseases (systemic sclerosis, lipodermatosclerosis, keloids).