SFB 1348:  Dynamic cellular interfaces: formation and function

• Subject Area: Biology
• Term: since 2018
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 386797833

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

• A01 - The role of protein-lipid interactions for protein segregation in the yeast plasma membrane (Project Heads Heuer, Andreas ;  Wedlich-Söldner, Roland )
• A02 - Local signaling for tight coupling of synaptic exo- and endocytosis (Project Head Klingauf, Jürgen )
• A03 - Dynamic regulation of synaptic calcium channels by neurexins (Project Head Missler, Markus )
• A05 - Lipid-mediated activation of protein kinases during cell polarization (Project Head Krahn, Ph.D., Michael )
• A06 - Force control in neuronal growth cones via membrane nanodomains (Project Head Galic, Milos )
• A07 - Regulation of growth factor signaling by the nanoscale presentation of the extracellular matrix (Project Head Trappmann, Britta )
• A08 - Molecular parameters for the dynamic assembly of Hedgehog signaling platforms (Project Head Grobe, Kay )
• A09 - Regulation and execution of vesicle formation in WASH-mediated endocytosis (Project Head Schelhaas, Mario )
• A10 - Specification and dynamic interactions of arterial progenitor cells (Project Heads Adams, Ralf H. ;  Pitulescu, Mara E. )
• A11 - Regulation of plasma membrane supramolecular functional units by late endosomal sorting and transport (Project Heads Glorius, Frank ;  Rescher, Ursula )
• A12 - Integrin-subtype-specific organization and force transduction (Project Head Grashoff, Carsten )
• A13 - Lipid storage organelles in formation of polarized cellular interfaces during cell division and cell fusion (Project Head Bohnert, Maria )
• A14 - Dynamic and spatiotemporal control of Notch signaling for assembling precise multicellular structures (Project Head Wegner, Seraphine )
• A15 - Structural insights into the complex interplay between latrotoxin and the cell adhesion receptors neurexin and latrophilin (Project Head Gatsogiannis, Christos )
• B03 - High-resolution analysis of membrane domain formation during neuronal polarization (Project Heads Busch, Karin ;  Püschel, Andreas )
• B04 - Membrane remodeling and severing during dendrite pruning in Drosophila neurons (Project Head Rumpf, Sebastian )
• B05 - Localized FGF-receptor signaling controls differentiation of wrapping glial cells (Project Head Klämbt, Christian )
• B06 - Cell-cell interactions controlling organ shape (Project Heads Raz, Erez ;  Tarbashevich, Katsiaryna )
• B08 - Local cues trigger changes in the migratory behavior of lymphangioblasts (Project Head Schulte-Merker, Stefan )
• B09 - Morphogenesis of the epiblast lineage during blastocyst to egg cylinder transition (Project Head Bedzhov, Ivan )
• B11 - Remodeling of tricellular junctions controls paracellular transport (Project Head Luschnig, Stefan )
• B12 - Delineating functional roles between the interstitial matrix and the basement membrane during cardiac valve formation (Project Head Gunawan, Ph.D., Felix )
• MGKZ02 - Integrated Research Training Group (Project Heads Bohnert, Maria ;  Luschnig, Stefan )
• Z01 - Central Tasks (Project Heads Klämbt, Christian ;  Luschnig, Stefan )

Completed projects

• A04 - Membrane platforms in regulated secretion from endothelial cells (Project Head Gerke, Volker )
• B01 - VE-cadherin modifications and binding partners regulate endothelial junctions (Project Head Vestweber, Dietmar )
• B07 - Morphogenetic mechanisms during lymphatic vessel formation (Project Head Kiefer, Friedemann )
• B10 - Spatiotemporal regulation of secretory lysosome trafficking controls epithelial tube fusion (Project Head Luschnig, Stefan )

• Applicant Institution: Universität Münster
• Participating Institution: Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Biomedizin
• Spokespersons: Professor Dr. Christian Klämbt, until 12/2023; Professor Dr. Stefan Luschnig, since 1/2024