Mechanics of molecular machines involved in plant cytokinesis (A04)

• Subject Area: Plant Cell and Developmental Biology ; Plant Biochemistry and Biophysics
• Term: since 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 232631280

The specific kinetic and mechanical properties of phragmoplast-orienting-kinesin (POK) and kinesin-8 motors and interacting partners will be characterized with purified recombinant proteins using single-molecule fluorescence microscopy and optical tweezers. To investigate microtubule crosslinking and tethering to the cell membrane, we will reconstitute a minimal, in vitro cortical division site assay comprised of artificial membrane systems, POKs, their interactors and microtubules

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1101: Molecular Encoding of Specificity in Plant Processes
• Applicant Institution: Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
• Project Heads: Dr. Sabine Müller, until 12/2017; Professor Dr. Erik Schäffer