The goal of this project is to study the structure of fusion stalks with particular emphasis on lipid membranes with reconstituted fusogenic proteins such as SNAREs, using different X-ray techniques. The ultimate goal is to reveal the positions of the proteins in the three-dimensional electron density of the stalk structure. We want to monitor the transient formation of stalks near the "crystallization" transition. Finally, we aim at a detailed investigation of the structure of the docking state between vesicles with different reconstituted SNAREs and mutants.
DFG Programme
Collaborative Research Centres
