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FOR 521:  Regulation of Immunological Processes by Membrane Proximal Signaling Modules

Subject Area Medicine
Term from 2003 to 2011
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5470521
 
The Research Unit aims at elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying receptor-mediated activation and differentiation events within immunocompetent cells. Within the research group three major aspects of immune cell functions will be investigated. Four projects assess the molecular basis of immunoreceptor-mediated signal transduction. Here the functions of new transmembrane and cytosolic adapter proteins will be investigated by applying modern techniques in biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology. Several knock-out models have been established which will facilitate the research within this focus.
Within the second focus scientists will investigate signaling mechanisms regulating the functions of adhesion molecules. Project 6 analyses two integrins (aE/b7 und a1/b1) which influence and regulate the homing of T-cells to the gut and to the skin, whereas project 7 aims at elucidating how bacterial effectors of H. pylori alter signaling events in infected epithelial cells with a particular focus on the role of b1-Integrins and nucleotide-exchange-factors during these processes.
The third focus takes into account the growing evidence that the mere analysis of signaling processes using biochemical approaches bears severe problems (e.g. the use of detergents which destroy cellular compartmentalization). In this regard, project 8 seeks to establish novel microscopical techniques allowing for the first time the visualization of signaling processes in a time and space controlled manner in living cells. Moreover, scientists attempt to simultaneously visualize molecular interactions between several signaling proteins. Within project 9 immunologists and system biologists of the Max-Planck-Institute of Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Magdeburg, will establish a mathematical model to achieve a novel and more universal understanding of signaling pathways within activated T-lymphocytes. One aim of this project is to predict the existence and functions of novel effector molecules that alter intracellular signaling pathways.
Finally, project S aims at generating phosphor-specific antibodies with specificity for particular tyrosine phosphorylation sites within the transmembrane and cytosolic adaptor proteins. These reagents are essential to further understand the dynamics and molecular basis of receptor-mediated signaling processes within lymphocytes.
DFG Programme Research Units
International Connection Switzerland

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