Project Details
Nanoscale characterization of integrin-virus interactions (15)
Subject Area
Biophysics
Term
since 2014
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 240245660
Ligands on the surface of small viruses and synthetic particles are necessary for clathrin-mediated assem-bly of the endocytic machinery. Previously, we designed nanoparticles with defined size and surface proper-ties and developed methods to measure molecular and cellular forces during endocytosis. We will now use adeno-associated viruses (AAV) with engineered integrin binding sites to control the number and specificity of bound integrins. Our aims are to characterize integrin-mediated mechanosensing for viral particle entry and to improve AAV transduction. This project will elucidate how cells regulate global and local adhesion forces for virus uptake.
DFG Programme
Collaborative Research Centres
Applicant Institution
Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
Project Heads
Professorin Dr. Elisabetta Ada Cavalcanti-Adam; Professor Dr. Dirk Grimm, since 7/2022; Professor Dr. Joachim P. Spatz, until 6/2022