Deciphering fast intra- and intermolecular dynamics of G protein-coupled receptors by Fluorescence (Cross) Correlation Spectroscopy (A09 [C06])

• Subject Area: Pharmacology ; Biophysics
• Term: from 2015 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 258780946

This project aims to analyze the structural dynamics of GPCR activation that seem to occur beyond a simple on-off model. We have set up a fluorescence toolbox for live cell analysis based on Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer and Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy that allows us to focus on previously predicted, fast submillisecond activation steps that are difficult to access by conventional microscopy methods. The results are expected to provide valuable information about the inter- and intramolecular dynamics of GPCR activation, notably the existence of multiple states and the kinetics of their transitions.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 166: High-end light microscopy elucidates membrane receptor function - ReceptorLight
• Applicant Institution: Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Katrin G. Heinze; Professor Dr. Martin J. Lohse, until 6/2019