The Research Unit aims at elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying receptor-mediated activation and differentiation events within immunocompetent cells. Within the research group three major aspects of immune cell functions will be investigated. Four projects assess the molecular basis of immunoreceptor-mediated signal transduction. Here the functions of new transmembrane and cytosolic adapter proteins will be investigated by applying modern techniques in biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology. Several knock-out models have been established which will facilitate the research within this focus.
Within the second focus scientists will investigate signaling mechanisms regulating the functions of adhesion molecules. Project 6 analyses two integrins (aE/b7 und a1/b1) which influence and regulate the homing of T-cells to the gut and to the skin, whereas project 7 aims at elucidating how bacterial effectors of H. pylori alter signaling events in infected epithelial cells with a particular focus on the role of b1-Integrins and nucleotide-exchange-factors during these processes.
The third focus takes into account the growing evidence that the mere analysis of signaling processes using biochemical approaches bears severe problems (e.g. the use of detergents which destroy cellular compartmentalization). In this regard, project 8 seeks to establish novel microscopical techniques allowing for the first time the visualization of signaling processes in a time and space controlled manner in living cells. Moreover, scientists attempt to simultaneously visualize molecular interactions between several signaling proteins. Within project 9 immunologists and system biologists of the Max-Planck-Institute of Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Magdeburg, will establish a mathematical model to achieve a novel and more universal understanding of signaling pathways within activated T-lymphocytes. One aim of this project is to predict the existence and functions of novel effector molecules that alter intracellular signaling pathways.
Finally, project S aims at generating phosphor-specific antibodies with specificity for particular tyrosine phosphorylation sites within the transmembrane and cytosolic adaptor proteins. These reagents are essential to further understand the dynamics and molecular basis of receptor-mediated signaling processes within lymphocytes.
DFG Programme
Research Units
International Connection
Switzerland
Projects
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Analysis of the regulation of the MHC:peptide induced MAP kinase cascade with regard to the signal dynamics in T-lymphocytes
(Applicant
Gilles, Ernst Dieter
)
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Beeinflussung zellulärer Signalwege durch das LMP2A des Epstein-Barr-Virus
(Applicant
Wienands, Jürgen
)
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Biochemische und molekularbiologische Untersuchungen zur Funktion der Proteinkinase B (PKB/Akt) bei der T-Zellreifung und T-Zellaktivierung
(Applicant
Bommhardt, Ursula
)
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Die Regulation DC95-vermittelter Signalwege in Dendritischen Zellen
(Applicant
Leverkus, Martin
)
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Die Rolle des Endocannabinoidsystems bei der Steuerung der Migration und neuronalen Kontaktaufnahme von Mikroglia bei ischämischer Gewebeschädiung im ZNS
(Applicants
Gunzer, Matthias
;
Ullrich, Oliver
)
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Herstellung monoklonaler Antikörper (mAk) mit Spezifität für zytoplasmatische und transmembranöse Adapterproteine und deren Effektoren
(Applicant
Schraven, Burkhart
)
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Integrin-vermittelte Signalübertragung bei epithelialer T-Zell-Lokalisation am Beispiel der Integrine alphaE(CD103)beta7 und alpha1(CD49a)beta1(CD29)
(Applicant
Schön, Michael P.
)
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Optische Analyse dynamischer Intra- und Inter-Aktionen von signalübertragenden Proteinen in lebenden immunkompetenten Zellen
(Applicant
Hartig, Roland
)
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Regulation der biphasischen Ca2+-Mobilisierung in aktivierten B-Zellen
(Applicant
Wienands, Jürgen
)
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Regulation der IkappaB/NF-kappaB Signaltransduktion in der H. pylori-induzierten angeborenen Immunantwort
(Applicant
Naumann, Michael
)
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Signaling in Anergy: from Fyn to Ras and beyond
(Applicant
Lindquist, Ph.D., Jonathan
)
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Trapping Grb2 within immune cells: The role of transmembrane adaptor proteins
(Applicant
Simeoni, Luca
)
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Zentrale Verwaltung und Koordination
(Applicant
Schraven, Burkhart
)
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Zur Bedeutung des Zytoskelett-Adapterproteins SH3P7 bei Membrantransportprozessen in Leukozyten und ASFV-infizierten Makrophagen
(Applicant
Wienands, Jürgen
)
