GRK 1830: Complex Membrane Proteins in Cellular Development and Disease

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The dysfunction of membrane proteins and protein compartmentalization can seriously compromise the normal functioning of cells and organs and has been implicated in detrimental diseases such as immune mediated diseases, deafness, cystic fibrosis, cancer, cardiovascular dysfunction and Alzheimer's. Moreover, altered activity of many membrane proteins causes dramatic effects on developmental and cellular adaptation processes in animal and plant cells. The IRTG on Complex Membrane Proteins in Development and Disease forwarded by the Faculty of Biology of the University of Kaiserslautern and the Faculties of Medicine and Biosciences of the Saarland University investigates selected membrane transporters, protein targeting and translocation across biological membranes, protein folding and the role of membrane proteins in developmental processes and diseases. The IRTG covers eleven renowned senior and thee young academics of two German universities and thirteen highly profiled researchers from the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta at Edmonton (Canada), including five female PIs as important role models. Our scientific mission is to (i) generate fundamental information about the control of abundance and activity of membrane proteins, (ii) understand their biochemical and functional properties and (iii) set the protein(s) of interest into the physiological context under normal and pathological conditions. For this purpose, the IRTG offers access to an inimitable selection of powerful experimental model systems like various primary human cell types, mouse models, yeast or Arabidopsis and provides a broad array of sophisticated experimental approaches. The IRTG has created an outstanding training environment for graduate students in the area of membrane biology and related fields. PhD guidance committees comprise two local members and one professor from Edmonton, facilitating coordinated research/education and ensuring high international standards. All trainees have to complete a research stay of several months at the partner institution and participation in international workshops further facilitates their integration into the scientific community. We are close to establishing a joint degree programme, through which our graduates can earn a PhD degree granted cooperatively by both sides. Scientists from major international and national research centers are regularly invited for lectures/seminars and practical training courses. Events independently organized by the trainees and selected soft skill modules complete the qualification of our graduates for leading positions in academia, research institutes and industry.