GRK 2737:  STRESSistance: Molecular Mechanisms to Preserve the Functionality of Membranes and Compartments during Stress Conditions

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 446816136

It becomes more and more evident that very different stress conditions, such as those induced by high light, increased temperature, the imbalance of genes or proteins, hyperosmolarity or the exposure to reactive oxidants, are counteracted by surprisingly similar “routines” of response programs, including the unfolded protein response, the attenuation of transcription and translation, the remodelling of membrane proteins and lipids and the expression of redox enzymes. It is not well understood how these different responses are orchestrated and shaped in order to allow specific reactions to very different situations. This is particularly obvious in cases where the stress conditions need to be sensed at defined cellular locations such as in or on organelles and cellular membranes. The goal of this initiative is to study such stress programs and the response routines they elicit in a cooperative effort. The common goal is to focus on basic molecular mechanisms underlying the maintenance of organelle and membrane identity and function in stress conditions. With our comprehensive approach, we will (A) elucidate molecular mechanisms that counteract stress-induced impairments of membrane-dependent processes and organelle function, (B) identify representative cellular signaling pathways that modulate organelle properties upon stress conditions, and (C) study how these responses are integrated into and associated with other cellular regulatory networks. The format of a Research Training Group seems perfectly suited for a comparative and integrative approach to identify and study the distinct response modules that counteract specific stress situations. In addition to the scientific and technological training in their research projects, the STRESSistance RTG offers an attractive, tailored training program to PhD students that includes workshops, soft skill courses, ‘theory & practice’ seminars, conferences, students-only meetings as well as a close partnership with PIs and external mentors. We are convinced that this will provide the nine DFG-funded trainees as well as the nine associated PhD students with a comprehensive and broad training in timely research field that is scientifically as well as technically rapidly advancing.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Johannes M. Herrmann
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Marcel Deponte; Professorin Dr. Sabine Filker; Professorin Dr. Tanja Maritzen; Professor Dr. Timo Mühlhaus; Professor Dr. Ekkehard Neuhaus; Professor Dr. Jan Pielage; Professor Dr. Michael Schroda; Professorin Dr. Zuzana Storchova