RUB Research School

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Author
Name Villagrana, Richard
Research field Molecular Biology
Career stage doctoral researcher
Home university/institution University of Copenhagen
Department/Research unit at home university/institution Department of Plant and Environmental Science
Chair/Working group at home institution Section for Transport Biology

International activity
Country Germany
Location Bochum
University Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB)
Fund Research School PR.INT
Type of activity invitation of guest scientist
Period starts 05-08-2024
ends 07-08-2024
Keywords protein biochemistry, membrane-integrated transporters, lipid transport, flippases
Report Flippases are a group of proteins that are integrated into biological membranes of fungi, plants and mammals. They act as transporters of lipids, which are essential building blocks of biological membranes. Therefore, flippase activity modulates membrane properties and affects a myriad of essential cellular processes from stress signalling to cell fusion. To improve understanding of dynamic membrane changes and the physiological role of flippases, the structure, function and regulation of these proteins must be studied closely.
During our stay, we participated in a three-day workshop on flippase research with the group of Prof. Günther-Pomorski of the department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Collectively, we aligned laboratory methods by discussing technical issues in individual projects, exchanging putative troubleshooting strategies, and formulating streamlined approaches for those methods. Students and early career researchers received feedback on their newest research results and planned manuscripts. We also used the chance to review current collaborations between our research team at the University of Copenhagen and Prof. Günter-Pomorski’s laboratory at the Ruhr University Bochum. Finally, a hands-on laboratory session was organized to allow knowledge transfer between the students and ensure alignment of laboratory methods for the functional characterization of flippases, which is essential for future shared publications.
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