SFB 944: Physiology and Dynamics of Cellular Microcompartments

Basic data for this project

Description

All cells are compartmentalized to facilitate and coordinate the chemical reactions that sustain the living state. Organelles as distinct compartments are themselves subdivided into various specialized functional domains, and even the cytosol contains specialized structures such as RNA granules. We refer to these structures, which are found in both bacteria and eukaryotic cells, as cellular micro-compartments to distinguish them from organelles and compartments on the one hand and quater-nary protein structures on the other hand. The crosstalk between proteins and lipids in cellular microcompartments provides a basis for suborganellar organization and is thus the foundation for a balanced and controlled physiology of healthy cells and thus organisms. To gain insights into the fundamental principles of molecular organization within these functional units, the SFB 944 aims to clarify both the physiology and spatiotemporal dynamics of selected cellular microcompartments. We thus strive for a general understanding of suborganellar organization and function, which also provides a basis for interference during diseases. Within the second funding period (2015-2018), key components, their interaction partners and their spatiotemporal organization into microcompartments have been characterized by establishing a dedicated methodological repertoire including advanced and super-resolution, as well as ultrastructural imaging techniques. The SFB 944 remains focused by and large on five central areas, namely (i) signal generation and transfer across membranes, (ii) assembly and disassembly of membrane complexes, (iii) vesicular transport and fusion, (iv) cell-cell adhesion, and (v) cytoplasmic and nuclear compartmentalization by liquid-liquid phase separation. The 16 research projects, of which five are located at the close-by University of Münster, are complemented by an integrated research training group (IRTG), a Z-project on advanced high- and super-resolution fluorescence imaging and electron microscopy, an infrastructure (INF), and a service (V) project. The recently finished research building CellNanOs (Center of Cellular Nanoanalytics Osnabrück) now provides a tailored infrastructure and further interdisciplinary links between and beyond the SFB groups.