GRK-Speaker
Carola Bauch
AG Kreienkamp
phone: ++49-40-7410-54550
email:   Carola Bauch





The focus of my project is the functional characterization of the Golgi-associated protein interacting specifically with Tc10 (PIST). PIST interacts with several membrane proteins including somatostatin receptor subtypes (SSTR3 and SSTR5), the beta1-adrenergic receptor, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), and stargazin. I want to elucidate the role of PIST in trafficking of these receptors to the plasma membrane.





GRK-Speaker
Johann Groth
AG Saftig/Schwake
phone: ++49-431-880 2002
email:   Johann Groth




The focus of my project is the structural and functional analysis of the lysosomal integral membrane protein 2 (LIMP 2). Although LIMP-2 has recently been identified as a new transporter of the lysosomal enzyme β-glucocerebrosidase, little is known about the interaction of these proteins. Therefore I would like to investigate further the structural details associated with the binding between both proteins.




Britta Hoffzimmer
AG Heeren
phone: ++49-40-7410 54554
email:   Britta Hoffzimmer





The uptake and intracellular processing of lipoproteins are mediated by hepatic lipoprotein receptors such as the LRP1. Next to triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, LRP1 can also bind to various other ligands indicating that different effects are mediated by specific LRP1 adaptor proteins. Therefore I want to investigate how LRP1-specific adaptor proteins modulate LRP1 function with the focus on internalisation and endosomal trafficking.




Christina Zachos
AG Saftig/Schwake
phone: ++49-0431-880 2002
email:   Christina Zachos





My PhD thesis deals with the investigation of mechanisms allowing the transport of proteins to lysosomes in a mannose-6 phosphate independent manner. I am interested to study in detail the transport of sphingolipid activator proteins to lysosomes. Additionally, I am planning to better understand the previously described role of the lysosomal membrane protein, LIMP-2 in mediating the lysosomal transport of b-glucocerebrosidase, a lysosomal hydrolase which in its mutated form can cause the most common lysosomal storage disease, Morbus Gaucher.




Anja Röder
AG Aepfelbacher
phone: ++49-40-7410 55919
email:   Anja Röder




The function of the Rho GTPase regulator CDC42GAP in phagocytes and endothelial cells is the focus of my project. Preliminary experiments suggest that CDC42GAP is Golgi associated and transported to phagocytic cups as well as to phagosomes in endothelial cells and to unknown vesicular structures in activated human macrophages. The phagosomes we investigate are formed after integrin-triggered phagocytosis of bacterial pathogens (S. aureus, Yersinia). Thus these mechanisms will also play a role in cellular uptake and recycling of integrins.





Marisa Encarnacao
AG Braulke
Supervisor: Sandra Pohl
phone: ++49-40-7410 51997
email:   Marisa Encarnacao





The soluble gamma-subunit of the Golgi-resident GlcNac-1-phosphotransferase which is defective in patients with the lysosomal storage disorder mucolipidosis III is the focus of the project. I will examine the structural requirements and the subcellular compartment for assembly of the complex and its transport to the Golgi apparatus.




Ulrike Ruch
AG Gilberger
phone: ++49-40-42818 422
email:   Ulrike Ruch





In the malaria parasite /Plasmodium falciparum/ the organization of secretory transport machinery is largely unknown. In this project we like to dissect and analyze the distinct steps of the anterograde transport from the Endoplasmic Reticulum to the secretory organells within this pathogen.




Vanessa van Rahden
AG Kutsche
phone: ++49-40-7410 57822
email:   Vanessa van Rahden





In my project I will focus on the analysis of endocytosis in cells overexpressing various OCRL1 variants, including wild-type and mutants deficient either for the 5-phosphatase activity or in associating with other proteins. I will also use primary fibroblast cells of patients with Lowe syndrome which are OCRL-deficient and study their capacity to internalize numerous ligands, such as transferrin and epidermal growth factor.




Dana Thurm
AG Glatzel
Supervisor: Susanne Krasemann
phone: ++49-40-7410 58750
email:   Dana Thurm




Prion diseases are both, neurological and infectious diseases. How prions spread within prion infected organisms is not know to date. In my project I focus on exosomal trafficking of prions. In detail we want to assess if exosomes are involved in prion spread and how exosomes influence prion pathogenesis.




Pieter Steenhuis
AG Braulke
phone: ++49-40-7410 51967 / 52718
email:   Pieter Steenhuis




I study intracellular trafficking of the lysosomal membrane protein CLN7. Mutations in the CLN7 gene cause a form a neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, which is a neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disease in children. Several lysosomal targeting sequences were recently identified in the CLN7 protein and I want to determine how these sequences establish correct targeting of CLN7 to the endosomal/lysosomal compartment. I also want to determine the identity of CLN7-positive organelles in neuronal projections, which appear to be different from endosomes and lysosomes.