Protonuclei as Platform to Study Phase Behaviour and Biological Function of Arginine-Glycine (RG)-rich Proteins (R14)

• Subject Area: Biochemistry
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 464588647

The aim is to develop DNA and RNA containing protonoclei as minimalistic nucleoplasm models with molecular crowding and tuneable viscoelastic confinement to study phase separation of RG-rich proteins with nucleic acids. We will compare “in protonucleo” data to in vitro and in cellulo data to reach an integrative understanding of strength and weaknesses of individual model systems. Using bioinformatics we will identify elements of the RG-rich proteome with relevance for human diseases and will study their DNA/RNA-binding and phase behaviour in the different model systems. In the future, this should allow us to specifically predict and alter RG protein function and understand disease-linked mutations.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1551: Polymer Concepts in Cellular Function
• Applicant Institution: Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
• Project Heads: Professor Miguel Andrade, Ph.D.; Professorin Dr. Dorothee Dormann; Professor Dr. Andreas Walther