Project Details
Projekt
EXC 114: Munich Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM)
Subject Area
Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
Term
from 2006 to 2019
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 24286268
Protein science unravels fundamental biological mechanisms and forms the basis for rapid advances in biomedicine and biotechnology. Thus, protein science stands at the heart of modern life sciences. In the future, protein science will operate more on the level of biological systems. To this end, studies of proteins and manipulation of proteins on the atomic and molecular level have to be integrated into the investigation of proteins in complexes and cellular protein networks and at an organismic level. Such an approach, which reaches up to the elucidation of protein function or dysfunction in various disease states will not only lead to a more profound understanding of biological processes but will also allow for
(1) the development of small molecules able to manipulate protein function in living cells,
(2) the discovery of proteins as targets and tools for medical research and intervention, and
(3) the engineering of proteins with novel functions for biotechnological and therapeutic application.
The Munich Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM) will bring together the leading research groups in protein research and technology across different faculties and institutions in Munich.
CIPSM will promote research and education covering all facets of protein science and will help to establish Munich as a leading European centre in the life sciences. CIPSM will implement new junior and selected senior research groups in topical areas, with the aim to attract the best scientists on all levels. Visiting professors will be hosted. CIPSM will provide services including teaching support, and will set up core facilities and manage knowledge transfer, and public relations. CIPSM will give the best researchers more time and new opportunities for scientific activities and the financial support needed for costly, cutting-edge techniques. CIPSM will encompass six core research areas that are linked by joint research projects spanning the following topics:
(1) protein biophysics,
(2) protein folding and transport,
(3) protein structures and networks,
(4) protein-nucleic acid interactions,
(5) protein engineering and chemical biology, and
(6) protein function and dysfunction in living organisms.
(1) the development of small molecules able to manipulate protein function in living cells,
(2) the discovery of proteins as targets and tools for medical research and intervention, and
(3) the engineering of proteins with novel functions for biotechnological and therapeutic application.
The Munich Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM) will bring together the leading research groups in protein research and technology across different faculties and institutions in Munich.
CIPSM will promote research and education covering all facets of protein science and will help to establish Munich as a leading European centre in the life sciences. CIPSM will implement new junior and selected senior research groups in topical areas, with the aim to attract the best scientists on all levels. Visiting professors will be hosted. CIPSM will provide services including teaching support, and will set up core facilities and manage knowledge transfer, and public relations. CIPSM will give the best researchers more time and new opportunities for scientific activities and the financial support needed for costly, cutting-edge techniques. CIPSM will encompass six core research areas that are linked by joint research projects spanning the following topics:
(1) protein biophysics,
(2) protein folding and transport,
(3) protein structures and networks,
(4) protein-nucleic acid interactions,
(5) protein engineering and chemical biology, and
(6) protein function and dysfunction in living organisms.
DFG Programme
Clusters of Excellence
Applicant Institution
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Co-Applicant Institution
Technische Universität München (TUM)
Participating Institution
Helmholtz Zentrum München
Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt; Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie (MPIB)
Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt; Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie (MPIB)
Spokesperson
Professor Dr. Thomas Carell
Deputy
Professor Arne Skerra, Ph.D.
Participating Researchers
Professor Dr. Peter Burkhard Becker; Professor Dr. Roland Beckmann; Professor Dr. Martin Biel; Professor Dr. Johannes Buchner; Professorin Dr. Barbara Conradt; Professor Dr. Patrick Cramer; Professor Dr. Stefan Endres; Professorin Dr. Ulrike Gaul (†); Professor Dr. Michael Groll; Professor Dr. Karl-Peter Hopfner; Professorin Dr. Kirsten Jung; Professor Dr. Thomas Kiefhaber; Professor Dr. Arthur Konnerth; Professor Dr. Bernhard Küster; Professor Andreas Gerhard Ladurner, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Matthias Mann; Professor Dr. Matthias Rief; Professor Dr. Michael Sattler; Professorin Dr. Petra Schwille; Professor Dr. Stephan A. Sieber; Professor Dr. Jürgen Soll; Professor Dr. Dirk Trauner; Professor Dr. Wolfgang Zinth
