GRK 1188:  Quantitative Analysis of Dynamic Processes in Membrane Transport and Translocation

Subject Area Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
Term from 2005 to 2014
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 818879
 

Final Report

Final Report Year 2015

Final Report Abstract

The research training school GRK1188 (“Quantitative Analysis of Dynamic Processes in Membrane Transport and Translocation”) was established as a research-oriented graduate programme that combined cutting edge research in membrane biology with an advanced training curriculum for PhD students. It was concerned with important mechanistic problems in molecular cell biology such as the molecular analysis of cellular mechanisms mediating transport of proteins and RNA between the nucleus and the cytoplasm, the biogenesis of large, membrane-inserted protein complexes, different kinds of molecular mechanisms mediating protein secretion into the extracellular space, the role of plasma membrane sub-compartments in cell migration and polarization as well as the mechanism of virus assembly at the plasma membrane. The results from these projects helped to explain how cells generate circadian rhythms of gene expression and how cells couple gene transcription to the export of messenger RNA into the cytoplasm. They further contributed to our understanding of nuclear pore complexes and related spindle pole bodies in terms of their architecture as large, membrane-inserted protein complexes. Furthermore, research in our graduate school revealed how membrane coats trigger formation and membrane fission of transport vesicles in the secretory pathway and how such transport vesicles fuse with high specificity with the correct target membrane in a regulated manner, a process called exocytosis. As a variation of the classical secretory pathway, mechanisms of unconventional protein secretion that do not depend on the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus were revealed. Finally, projects addressed the role of plasma-membrane-derived blebs in cell migration and polarization and identified the host cell factors that are required to assemble viral particles at the plasma membrane. Thus, within the research program of GRK1188, PhD students tackled pressing questions in current membrane biology with a selection of specific projects addressing subcellular processes of fundamental importance. Our graduate students further enjoyed a structured training program with a focus on advanced technologies in membrane biology, common activities and visits at our partner university in Manchester (UK) and a mixture of conferences and lecture series that provided insight into various aspects of how to develop a scientific career in academics.

Publications

DFG Programme Research Training Groups
Applicant Institution Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
Spokespersons Professor Oliver T. Fackler, Ph.D., from 4/2009 until 1/2011; Professor Dr. Walter Nickel, since 2/2011
Participating Researchers Professor Dr. Michael Brunner; Professor Dr. Friedrich Frischknecht; Professor Dr. Robert Grosse; Professor Dr. Iain Hagan; Professor Dr. Eduard Christian Hurt; Professor Dr. Hans-Georg Kräusslich; Professorin Dr. Frauke Melchior; Privatdozent Dr. Rainer Pepperkok; Professor Dr. Elmar Schiebel; Professorin Dr. Irmgard Sinning; Professor Dr. Thomas Söllner; Professor Dr. Felix Wilhelm Theodor Wieland