Collaborative Research Center 1507
Membrane-Associated Protein Assemblies, Machineries and Supercomplexes
Protein assemblies and molecular machineries in cellular membranes are central to essential life processes. They establish homeostasis in compartmentalized cells, transduce energy, translocate nutrients and metabolites, control the communication within and between cells, and mediate interactions with pathogens. The CRC aims for an in-depth, quantitative understanding of the structure, dynamics, and function of key membrane-associated assemblies, machineries, and supercomplexes as a basis for a multiscale decoding of the associated cellular processes. Despite their pivotal role, protein assemblies and machineries associated with cellular membranes are intrinsically difficult to study and remain poorly understood. Our CRC aims to discover the organizational principles and operational mechanisms of protein assemblies and machineries at and across compartmentalization boundaries.
International Symposium 2024
New Horizons in Membrane Biology
October 9 – 11, 2024
Goethe University Frankfurt,
Otto Stern Center
Principle Investigators
Project 01
Clemens Glaubitz
(Steering Board)
Project 02
Benesh Joseph
Project 03
Klaas Martinus Pos
Project 04
Inga Hänelt
(Steering Board, Head of IRTG)
Project 05
Josef Wachtveitl
Project 06
Alexander Gottschalk
Project 07
Amparo Acker-Palmer
(Steering Board)
Project 08
Mike Heilemann
(Steering Board)
Project 09
Roberto Covino
(Steering Board of IRTG)
Project 10
Harald Schwalbe
Project 11
Ute A. Hellmich
Project 12
Gerhard Hummer
(Steering Board)
Project 13
Nina Morgner
(Steering Board of IRTG)
Project 14
Volker Zickermann
Project 14
Janet Vonck
Project 15
Bonnie J. Murphy
(Steering Board of IRTG)
Project 16
Melanie McDowell
Project 17
Martin Beck
Project 17
Edward Lemke
Project 18
Robert Tampé
(Head of CRC1507)
Service Project Z02
Lukas Sušac
Early career support
The IRTG of the CRC 1507 promotes the graduate students in performing a successful PhD project and in preparing them for their future career paths. The most important pillars for their qualification will be the mentoring by thesis advisory committees (TAC) individually tailored to the PhD students‘ research focus, a training within the CRC in topics and techniques relevant for their research, and a fine-tuned curriculum in generic skills.
Integrated Research Training Group (MGK)
Gender Equality and family-friendly benefits
Gender Equality
Programs of the Federal State of Hesse support women at different career stages (Mentoring Hessen, i.e. ProAcademia and ProProfessur). Trainings and dual career services established by the partnership Rhine-Main Universities (RMU) provide career support and networks for female scientists. Within our CRC, we pay significant attention to a balance of invited speakers in terms of gender and career stages. Topics of gender, inclusion and diversity awareness are dealt with in interdisciplinary seminars and trainings.
Family-friendly Benefits
All partners involved strive for times around noon as a starting point for seminars, guest lectures and meetings in order to make participation as family-friendly as possible. There is the possibility to relieve scientists with children – no matter if students, postdocs or PIs – by various measures, such as extra bench support, flexible working hours, childcare options during retreats, etc.
In a nutshell
The CRC 1507 investigates protein assemblies and machineries in different membrane environments in agreement with our three overlapping research areas, (i) molecular machines at compartmentalization boundaries, (ii) protein organization and dynamics at the plasma membrane, and (iii) supramolecular assemblies in membranes. Within this framework, examples of research foci are the nanoscale confinement and dynamics of transmembrane receptors, the protein assemblies and machineries in between the inner and outer membrane of bacteria including compartmentalization in biofilms, the analysis and development of optogenetic machines as membrane sensors and actuators, as well as the nanoscale confinement and dynamics of transmembrane receptors and supramolecular structures at the surface of eukaryotic cells and in organellar membrane systems.
Partners
