The timely differentiation of cells and their integration into a complex organism requires the dynamic assembly and disassembly of molecular platforms that integrate intra- and extracellular signals and regulate cell shape and function. Such decision platforms are generated at the interface between cells and their environment to orchestrate development and to ensure appropriate responses to physiological and pathophysiological perturbations. Thus, cellular interfaces are of utmost relevance to the organism. To further understand dynamic organization and decision making at these structures, the CRC 1348 initiated an integrated research approach. We combine molecular modelling, (bio)chemistry, genetics, cell biology and developmental biology to study how cellular interfaces contribute to cell and tissue development and homeostasis. In the next funding period, we aim to strengthen this multidisciplinary approach by adding organic chemistry to directly modulate membrane properties and synthetic biology to enable light-dependent manipulation of adhesive and signaling properties in our experiments. Ultimately, the CRC1348 is devoted to provide a deep understanding of the molecular principles underlying cellular interface formation and the resulting consequences for cell-to-cell communication.
DFG Programme
Collaborative Research Centres
Current projects
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A01 - The role of protein-lipid interactions for protein segregation in the yeast plasma membrane
(Project Heads
Heuer, Andreas
;
Wedlich-Söldner, Roland
)
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A02 - Local signaling for tight coupling of synaptic exo- and endocytosis
(Project Head
Klingauf, Jürgen
)
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A03 - Dynamic regulation of synaptic calcium channels by neurexins
(Project Head
Missler, Markus
)
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A05 - Lipid-mediated activation of protein kinases during cell polarization
(Project Head
Krahn, Ph.D., Michael
)
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A06 - Force control in neuronal growth cones via membrane nanodomains
(Project Head
Galic, Milos
)
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A07 - Regulation of growth factor signaling by the nanoscale presentation of the extracellular matrix
(Project Head
Trappmann, Britta
)
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A08 - Molecular parameters for the dynamic assembly of Hedgehog signaling platforms
(Project Head
Grobe, Kay
)
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A09 - Regulation and execution of vesicle formation in WASH-mediated endocytosis
(Project Head
Schelhaas, Mario
)
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A10 - Specification and dynamic interactions of arterial progenitor cells
(Project Heads
Adams, Ralf H.
;
Pitulescu, Mara E.
)
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A11 - Regulation of plasma membrane supramolecular functional units by late endosomal sorting and transport
(Project Heads
Glorius, Frank
;
Rescher, Ursula
)
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A12 - Integrin-subtype-specific organization and force transduction
(Project Head
Grashoff, Carsten
)
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A13 - Lipid storage organelles in formation of polarized cellular interfaces during cell division and cell fusion
(Project Head
Bohnert, Maria
)
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A14 - Dynamic and spatiotemporal control of Notch signaling for assembling precise multicellular structures
(Project Head
Wegner, Seraphine
)
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A15 - Structural insights into the complex interplay between latrotoxin and the cell adhesion receptors neurexin and latrophilin
(Project Head
Gatsogiannis, Christos
)
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B03 - High-resolution analysis of membrane domain formation during neuronal polarization
(Project Heads
Busch, Karin
;
Püschel, Andreas
)
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B04 - Membrane remodeling and severing during dendrite pruning in Drosophila neurons
(Project Head
Rumpf, Sebastian
)
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B05 - Localized FGF-receptor signaling controls differentiation of wrapping glial cells
(Project Head
Klämbt, Christian
)
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B06 - Cell-cell interactions controlling organ shape
(Project Heads
Raz, Erez
;
Tarbashevich, Katsiaryna
)
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B08 - Local cues trigger changes in the migratory behavior of lymphangioblasts
(Project Head
Schulte-Merker, Stefan
)
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B09 - Morphogenesis of the epiblast lineage during blastocyst to egg cylinder transition
(Project Head
Bedzhov, Ivan
)
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B11 - Remodeling of tricellular junctions controls paracellular transport
(Project Head
Luschnig, Stefan
)
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B12 - Delineating functional roles between the interstitial matrix and the basement membrane during cardiac valve formation
(Project Head
Gunawan, Ph.D., Felix
)
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MGKZ02 - Integrated Research Training Group
(Project Heads
Bohnert, Maria
;
Luschnig, Stefan
)
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Z01 - Central Tasks
(Project Heads
Klämbt, Christian
;
Luschnig, Stefan
)
Completed projects