Objective Cellular responses to external signals begin at the plasma membrane, where the dynamic assembly of receptors can regulate cellular activity. Membrane-enveloped viruses, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) also assemble at the plasma membrane, exploiting mechanisms evolved for cellular trafficking. However, our physical paradigm for how proteins form mesoscale assemblies is far from complete. While the organization and dynamics of membrane proteins are heterogeneous, commonly used fluorescence-based measurements lack information at the molecular scale. In contrast, single molecule measurements limited to looking at only a few molecules in a given cell lack ensemble information. Thus, the study of protein assembly has been limited by a lack of spatially resolved, dynamic information on ensembles of molecules. We will use super-resolution fluorescence imaging techniques combined with live cell imaging and single molecule tracking to determine how the dynamics of protein assembly are coordinated. The long-term goal of my research is to use quantitative fluorescence methods to identify the physical mechanisms for protein transport and organization in cells. The objective of this proposal is to establish quantitative models of protein assembly in two specific biological systems which were selected for the distinct characteristics of their assembly, and their relevance to human health. This will test the central hypothesis that molecular assembly is enhanced by the organization of the plasma membrane in the form of cytoskeletal elements and protein-lipid platforms. This interdisciplinary research will provide an experimental foundation for a statistical description of the cell, whose behaviour is embedded in protein organization and dynamics. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologyvirologynatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopysuper resolution microscopynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsmedical and health scienceshealth sciencesinfectious diseasesRNA virusesHIV Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-SG-ID1 - ERC Starting Grant Interdisciplinary Panel Call for proposal ERC-2009-StG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Coordinator ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE Address Batiment ce 3316 station 1 1015 Lausanne Switzerland See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Région lémanique Vaud Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Caroline Vandevyver (Ms.) Principal investigator Suliana Manley (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution € 1 542 518,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE Switzerland EU contribution € 1 542 518,00 Address Batiment ce 3316 station 1 1015 Lausanne See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Région lémanique Vaud Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Caroline Vandevyver (Ms.) Principal investigator Suliana Manley (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window
