Project Details
Projekt
GRK 1188: Quantitative Analysis of Dynamic Processes in Membrane Transport and Translocation
Subject Area
Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
Term
from 2005 to 2014
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 818879
Modern cell biology is currently moving from the description of structure-function relationships of individual components towards a more global understanding of the dynamic interactions between a large number of macromolecules. Accordingly, we are gaining more insight into the complexity and integration of cellular processes. The starting point of this Research Training Group is a defined common research interest of the participants, namely the molecular analysis of membrane transport and translocation, a classical field in molecular cell biology. The individual projects of this programme cover key problems in this area of research such as the molecular mechanisms of neurotransmitter release by synaptic vesicle fusion at the presynaptic terminal, coupling of mRNA synthesis to nucleo-cytoplasmic transport, or virus entry into mammalian cells.
We aim at a rigorous quantitative analysis of the processes in question that eventually will be key to our understanding of what happens in intact cells. Whilst some degree of quantitation is the hallmark of most good science, there are problems which inherently require a detailed quantitative description because quantitative modulation (rather than switching between an off and on state) is essential to the biological process. Furthermore, our capacity to obtain quantitative information from living cells has increased tremendously. This will require the training of a next generation of graduate students capable of using advanced quantitative methods to analyse biological systems and their dynamics.
We aim at a rigorous quantitative analysis of the processes in question that eventually will be key to our understanding of what happens in intact cells. Whilst some degree of quantitation is the hallmark of most good science, there are problems which inherently require a detailed quantitative description because quantitative modulation (rather than switching between an off and on state) is essential to the biological process. Furthermore, our capacity to obtain quantitative information from living cells has increased tremendously. This will require the training of a next generation of graduate students capable of using advanced quantitative methods to analyse biological systems and their dynamics.
DFG Programme
Research Training Groups
Applicant Institution
Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
Spokespersons
Professor Dr. Oliver T. Fackler, Ph.D., from 4/2009 until 1/2011; Professor Dr. Walter Nickel, since 2/2011
Participating Researchers
Professor Dr. Michael Brunner; Professor Dr. Friedrich Frischknecht; Professor Dr. Robert Grosse; Professor Dr. Iain Hagan; Professor Dr. Eduard Christian Hurt; Professor Dr. Hans-Georg Kräusslich; Professorin Dr. Frauke Melchior; Privatdozent Dr. Rainer Pepperkok; Professor Dr. Elmar Schiebel; Professorin Dr. Irmgard Sinning; Professor Dr. Thomas Söllner; Professor Dr. Felix Wilhelm Theodor Wieland
