General

Mikroskopische Darstellung einer Zelle; Bildfolge, bei der nach und nach unterschiedliche Bereiche der Zelle farbig dargestellt werden
© Aby Anand, Caroline Barisch | Universität Osnabrück
Correlative light and electron microscopy of an infected Dictyostelium cell: The mycobacteria (cyan) are initially in a vacuole (violet) of the host cell, which they damage to escape to the cytosol. To restore the vacuole, the host cell recruits a lipid transporter (OSBP, magenta) at the endoplasmic reticulum (brown) for membrane repair.

SFB 1557: Functional plasticity encoded by cellular membrane networks

Research aims

Life depends on the ability to adapt to changing conditions. For this, organisms need to regulate protein function in time and space. Unraveling the underlying mechanisms that control the functional plasticity of biological processes is at the core of fundamental biological research. Here, the complex membrane networks of eukaryotic cells with their numerous different lipids and proteins present a particular challenge.

Our research initiative addresses how membranes and their lipid code control the plasticity of membrane protein functions - and how in turn membrane properties are maintained and adapted in response to the environment. In our projects, we will focus on mechanisms of this functional plasticity of membranes in various physiological and pathophysiological processes.

Expected Insights

Our projects will provide insights into the physiological adaptation of membrane properties and their dysregulation in diseases, which are caused by defects in lipid metabolism or membrane protein assembly, targeting, or function. Importantly, many pathogens manipulate cellular membrane networks and reprogram membrane-associated machineries to promote their replication. An integrated and mechanistic understanding of the plasticity encoded by cellular membranes will be key to future concepts of therapeutic interventions.

Grafische Darstellung blauer Proteine, die in eine orangefarbene Membran eingebettet sind.
© Arne Möller | Universität Osnabrück
Zwei blaue bogenförmige Kreise, dazu ellyptsiche Formen und Linien. Darin steht in schwarzer Schrift "SFB 1557, Functional plasticity encoded by cellular membrane networks".
© SFB 1557

SFB 1557 : Governing Bodies

Speaker
Prof. Dr. Christian Ungermann

Vice Speaker
Prof. Dr. Arne Möller

Additional Board Members
Prof. Dr. Kerstin Bartscherer, Prof. Dr. Florian Fröhlich, Prof. Dr. Joost Holthuis

SFB 1557 Office
Jan Gottschalk, Nina Möller

Speaker of the IRTG
Prof. Dr. Achim Paululat

Additional Board Members IRTG
Prof. Dr. Marco Beeken, Dr. Ayelén González Montoro, Prof. Dr. Daniel Kümmel

IRTG Office
Nadja Füllbrunn