Research Groups CTP
Division for Pathobiochemistry
Prof. Dr. Mechthild Hatzfeld
Connections between the cytoskeleton and intercellular junctions profoundly influence cell shape and motility. It is becoming increasingly clear that in addition to structural functions, components of the adhesion apparatus also possess signalling capabilities. Recent studies suggest that proteins with such dual functions may provide the means to integrate changes in morphology and gene expression during tissue and organ development. Our research focuses on the molecular analysis of signalling through junction-associated proteins. In the previous years, we have defined the p120ctn family of armadillo related proteins that includes the prototype p120ctn, p0071, δ-catenin/NPRAP, ARVCF and the more distantly related plakophilins 1-3...
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Junior Research Group “RNA biology and pathogenesis”
Jun.-
Prof. Dr. Tony Gutschner
The research projects in our lab aim to unravel the molecular function and regulatory principles applied by non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in cancer cells. We develop novel genome engineering and gene targeting strategies, which we combine with classical cell biology and biochemical approaches to dissect molecular pathways and interaction networks of these important regulators in the context of tumor biology.
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Institut für Molekulare Medizin, Sektion Molekulare Zellbiologie
Prof. Dr. Stefan Hüttelmaier
Our lab is interested in the characterization of regulatory mechanisms directing the cytoplasmic fate of specific mRNAs and how this posttranscriptional control of gene expression modulates cell function and pathogenesis, in particular tumor progression.
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Core Facility — Proteomic Mass Spectrometry (CFP)
Dr. Matt Fuszard
The Core Facility - Proteomic Mass Spectrometry at Weinberg Campus is a collaboration between the Faculty I of Natural Science - Biological Science and the Zentrum für Medizinische Grundlagenforschung (ZMG) within theMedical Faculty and will provide a full proteomic infrastructure for identification and characterization of proteins and peptides.
Tumor Biology
Prof. Stephan M. Feller, PhD
Many human cancers are difficult or impossible to cure, in no small part because each human cancer essentially presents a unique disease at the molecular level. We are using a wide range of biochemical and cell biology methods to gain insight into the molecular diversity and functions of cancer cell proteins. A second focus of our research is on understanding how complex signals in normal cells and cancer cells are molecularly computed in order to drive decision-making regarding important cell actions like proliferation, migration and invasion. For this we employ various biophysical tools, as well as biochemical and cell biological assays. We have recently developed a novel, internationally recognized hypothesis of how complex signal computation is accomplished on large, intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and how this may potentially be exploited for future disease treatments. Last not least, we are also engaged in the education of medical students, politicians, pupils and the general public regarding addiction and disease prevention, since prevention is frequently more effective than even the best of therapies.
Core Facility Imaging (CFI)
Dr. Nadine Bley
The Core Facilty Imaging is registered as a Research Infrastructure of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and is available at the RIsources portal and part of the German BioImaging Netzwerks.
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Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Bioanalytics
Prof. Dr. Andrea Sinz
The research interest of our group is the advancement of the chemical cross-linking/MS strategy for elucidating protein 3D-structures and for mapping protein-protein interactions. We are currently exploring the development and application of novel MS/MS cleavable cross-linkers as well as the incorporation of photo-reactive amino acids. Analysis of the cross-linked products is performed by theStavroX software developed by Michael Götze. Our lab is equipped with two Orbitrap mass spectrometers (LTQ-Orbitrap XL and Orbitrap Fusion Tribrid, Thermo Fisher Scientific), both coupled to nano-HPLC systems, a MALDI-TOF/TOFmass spectrometer (Ultraflex III, Bruker Daltonik), and a High-Mass Q-TOF mass spectrometer (Micromass/MS Vision).
http://agsinz.pharmazie.uni-halle.de/
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Cryo-Electron microscopy of membrane protein complexes
Jun.-Prof. Dr. Panagiotis L. Kastritis
Our aim is to analyze the molecular architecture of enzymatic supercomplexes, ideally within their native cellular context. We combine cryo-electron microscopy and computational structural biology approaches, two methods that are at the forefront of biological research. Our integrative findings will provide a whole new avenue for targeted drug design. Rather than targeting the active sites of individual subunits -which share many physical and chemical characteristics thus compromising specificity- we envisage a therapeutic strategy that targets the interface between proteins in the supercomplex that are likely to be unique.
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Abteilung Allgemeine Biochemie
Prof. Dr. Elmar Wahle
Die Arbeitsgruppe interessiert sich in erster Linie für die mRNA-Prozessierung, die Regulation der Translation und den mRNA-Abbau in Eukaryoten. Ein weiteres Thema ist die posttranslationale Modifikation von Proteinen durch die Methylierung von Argininseitenketten.
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Abteilung Biophysikalische Charakterisierung medizinisch relevanter
Membranproteine
Jun.-Prof. Dr. Carla Schmidt
We employ various mass spectrometric techniques to study structure and dynamics of protein-lipid complexes. Our main research focus is the investigation of protein-lipid interactions in synaptic vesicles and in the neuronal synapse. This research project is part of the BMBF-funded interdisciplinary research center „HALOmem: membrane structure and dynamics“
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Abteilung Enzymologie
Prof. Dr. Mike Schutkowski
Die Forschung der Arbeitgruppe konzentriert sich auf zwei dominante Themen:
- Untersuchung posttranslationaler Modifikationen von Proteinen und deren Auswirkungen unter Nutzung von Peptid-Chips
- Strukturelle und enzymkinetische Charakterisierung von Thiamindiphosphat-abhängigen Enzymen
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Abteilung Mikrobielle Biotechnologie
Prof. Dr. Sven-Erik Behrens
Die Abteilung Mikrobielle Biotechnologie hat zwei dominante Forschungsinteressen:
1. Die Identifizierung und Charakterisierung essentieller Faktoren des Lebenszyklus’ verschiedener RNA-Viren (bekanntestes Beispiel: Hepatitis C Virus).
2. Die Entwicklung von Applikationsformen von RNA-Viren zu Genexpressions- und Vakzinierungszwecken.
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Abteilung Physikalische Biotechnologie
Prof. Dr. Milton T. Stubbs
Unsere Arbeitsgruppe beschäftigt sich mit der Strukturanalyse biologischer Makromoleküle. Durch verschiedenste Projekte ist eine übergeordnete Fragestellung unserer Arbeiten entstanden – wie sich Proteine an ihrer Umgebung durch konformationelle Umwandlungen anpassen.
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Abteilung Naturstoffbiochemie
Prof. Dr. Frank Bordusa
Im Fokus des Interesses unserer Abteilung steht die Etablierung neuer Strategien zur Semisynthese und ortsspezifischen Modifizierung von Proteinen durch artifiziell adaptierte Enzymkatalysatoren. Methodische Einzelaktivitäten umfassen insbesondere das rationale und evolutive Enzymdesign, die chemische und kombinatorische Peptidsynthese und Reaktionen in ionischen Flüssigkeiten.
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