GRK 1459:  Sorting and Interactions Between Proteins of Subcellular Compartments

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: from 2008 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 43168683

The general topic of the Research Training Group will be the sorting and transport of selected proteins within the Golgi apparatus and endosomal compartments. In these organelles the decision is made whether a newly synthesised protein reaches its target via the secretory pathway, or a recently internalised molecule (or bacterium) reaches its intracellular destination via the endocytic pathway. Missorted proteins may lead to loss of function in their target organelles, which may affect the well being of the cell and the organism as a whole. Therefore, the experimental approaches are motivated by clinical problems. By focussing on selected model proteins we will try to investigate basic mechanisms of the biogenesis of intracellular compartments, the balance of membrane transport between organelles and the interplay between cytosolic and membrane proteins.
The majority of projects will address sorting and transport processes under pathological conditions in cells derived from patients or mouse models of human diseases or cells infected by bacteria or parasites. We expect a better understanding of the cellular response to endogenous mutant proteins or exogenous pathogens. This will enable us to identify approaches for new or alternative therapeutic strategies. Students will go through a curriculum of academic as well as non-academic courses. The active participation of the students in the design of this curriculum will add to their independence and international competitiveness.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Universität Hamburg
• Participating Institution: Bernhard-Nocht-Institut für Tropenmedizin (BNITM)
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Thomas Braulke
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Martin Aepfelbacher; Dr. Judith Blanz; Professor Dr. Markus Glatzel; Professor Dr. Jörg Heeren; Professor Dr. Matthias Kneussel, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Hans-Jürgen Kreienkamp; Professorin Dr. Kerstin Kutsche; Professor Dr. Stefan Linder; Professorin Dr. Sandra Pohl; Professor Dr. Paul Saftig; Privatdozent Dr. Michael Schwake; Dr. Tobias Spielmann; Privatdozent Dr. Stephan Storch