Project Details
Projekt
GRK 1962: Dynamic Interactions at Biological Membranes - From Single Molecules to Tissue
Subject Area
Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
Term
from 2014 to 2018
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 233898800
The guiding theme of this interdisciplinary Research Training Group is processes in and on biomembranes, spanning different time and length scales. Research in the Research Training Group focusses on the interplay of lipids and proteins as the major components of biomembranes. In particular, the Research Training Group addresses the mechanisms underlying the localisation of lipids and proteins in membranes, and the relationships between the specific membrane composition and dynamics, protein-lipid interaction and force transmission across membranes with regard to the manifold membrane functions in cells. Accordingly, the research programme encompasses structural and functional studies of biomolecules on the atomistic (protein and membrane structures), mesoscopic (e.g., membrane-receptor interactions, diffusion) and macroscopic scale (membrane internalisation, cell growth, tissues).
Thereby, the Research Training Group is expected to yield insight into the structural and functional determinants of membrane-bound and membrane-assisted biological processes - such as recognition processes at membranes or directed growth mechanisms - and to contribute significantly to improving current models of plasma membranes. This research focus on dynamic processes at biomembranes integrates core expertise from biology, experimental and theoretical physics.
The interdisciplinarity is mirrored in the Research Training Groups specific qualification programme. The research focus is deeply anchored in the existing Integrated Life Sciences (ILS) degree programme, a study course at the interface between biology, mathematics and physics. The Research Training Group will complement the ILS study programme by a doctoral programme that introduces the researchers into different modern techniques in specialised theoretical courses and intensive lab trainings, amended by a research stay abroad.
Excellent students may join the Research Training Group at all stages of their studies, with mini-research projects during their bachelor, as fast-track doctoral students with a bachelor degree, as doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. This interwoven study and research programme together with a supervisory board will train truely interdisciplinary researchers in life sciences and at the same time foster early scientific independence of junior researchers.
Thereby, the Research Training Group is expected to yield insight into the structural and functional determinants of membrane-bound and membrane-assisted biological processes - such as recognition processes at membranes or directed growth mechanisms - and to contribute significantly to improving current models of plasma membranes. This research focus on dynamic processes at biomembranes integrates core expertise from biology, experimental and theoretical physics.
The interdisciplinarity is mirrored in the Research Training Groups specific qualification programme. The research focus is deeply anchored in the existing Integrated Life Sciences (ILS) degree programme, a study course at the interface between biology, mathematics and physics. The Research Training Group will complement the ILS study programme by a doctoral programme that introduces the researchers into different modern techniques in specialised theoretical courses and intensive lab trainings, amended by a research stay abroad.
Excellent students may join the Research Training Group at all stages of their studies, with mini-research projects during their bachelor, as fast-track doctoral students with a bachelor degree, as doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. This interwoven study and research programme together with a supervisory board will train truely interdisciplinary researchers in life sciences and at the same time foster early scientific independence of junior researchers.
DFG Programme
Research Training Groups
Applicant Institution
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Spokesperson
Professor Dr. Rainer Böckmann
Participating Researchers
Professorin Dr. Anja-Katrin Bosserhoff; Dr. Jan Dettmer; Professorin Dr. Petra Dietrich; Dr. Peter Dietrich, Ph.D.; Professorin Dr. Diana Dudziak; Professor Dr. Ben Fabry; Professor Dr. Benedikt Kost; Professor Dr. Yves André Muller; Dr. Martina Pannuzzo; Professor Dr. Vahid Sandoghdar, Ph.D.; Professorin Dr. Alexandra Schambony; Professorin Dr. Ana-Suncana Smith; Dr. Nuska Tschammer; Professor Dr. Tobias Unruh
