U.S.-Argentina Cooperative Research: Rab GTPases and Membrane Fusion

该美洲项目奖将资助密苏里州圣路易斯华盛顿大学的Philip Stahl博士和阿根廷门多萨组织学和胚胎学研究所（IHEM）的Marisa Colombo博士之间的一项合作研究项目。他们将进行实验，采用体外和体内方法，以确定关键蛋白质在控制吞噬作用中的可能参与，吞噬作用是细胞内化大颗粒的过程。这些颗粒，通常包括活的微生物，被隔离在被称为吞噬体的膜结合的隔室中。该建议的重点是发展对吞噬体-内体融合和吞噬体成熟机制的理解。体外重组分析将用于剖析调节膜融合和运输的分子机制。这项由华盛顿大学PI实验室开发的技术，正在由门多萨的阿根廷合作者进一步发展和完善。这是一个重要的基础研究领域，可以阐明吞噬过程中的基本分子机制，这对未来开发抗感染策略是必要的。＊＊＊

9724821 Stahl This Americas Program award will fund a collaborative research project between Dr. Philip Stahl, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, and Dr. Marisa Colombo, Institute for Histology and Embryology (IHEM), Mendoza, Argentina. They will conduct experiments, using in vitro and in vivo approaches, to determine the possible involvement of key proteins in controlling phagocytosis, the process by which cells internalize large particles. These particles, often including live microorganisms, are sequestered within membrane-bound compartments called phagosomes. The focus of the proposal is to develop an understanding of the mechanism of phagosome-endosome fusion and phagosome maturation.. In vitro reconstitution assays will be used to dissect the molecular mechanisms that regulate membrane fusion and transport. This technology, developed in the PI laboratory in Washington University, is being further developed and refined by the Argentinean collaborator in Mendoza This is an important area of basic research that could elucidate the fundamental molecular mechanisms during phagocytosis necessary for the future development of anti- infective strategies. ***