Membrane protein organization studied at the single molecule level using liquid-phase electron microscope (C07)

• Subject Area: Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics
• Term: from 2017 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 200049484

ORAI1 and HER2 proteins are both known to control the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton, the main component of the cellular structure responsible for cell migration playing a pivotal role for instance in cancer metastasis. However, the underlying mechanisms, as well as their interdependencies are still poorly understood. Using liquid phase electron microscopy, we study the biophysical principles of how a cell or-ganizes these membrane proteins in specific locations in a functional configuration in relation to actin such to regulate function.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1027: Physical Modelling of Non-Equilibrium Processes in Biological Systems
• Applicant Institution: Universität des Saarlandes
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Niels De Jonge; Professorin Barbara Anne Niemeyer, Ph.D., until 6/2021