Driving forces and role of the formation of stable membrane vesicles in cells

Membrane vesicles involved in molecule trafficking are fundamental to maintain cellular homeostasis.

In contrast to the well-known clathrin-coated vesicles responsib­le for intracellular cargo transport, the less familiar atypical vesicles are characteristically more stably attached to membranes.

Atypical vesicles include caveolae, which are signalling platforms and regulators of lipid metabolism, as well as vesicles induced by viruses to optimise their replication in cells.

The overall goal of this project is to provide detailed structural and mechanistic insight to the formation, regulation and function of stable membrane vesicles in cells.

We are applying a range of front-line technologies including innovative biochemical tools, advanced live cell microscopy and cryo-electron tomography.

Specifically, we challenge our hypothesis that that specific coat proteins and lipids regu­la­te the formation and dynamics of caveolae, and explore a novel model for fatty acid uptake in cells.

Furthermore, by comparative studies of stable vesicles induced by flaviviruses, we will identify common features in the structural requirements for atypical vesicle formation.

As such, this project aims to unravel the elementary principles that drive formation of stable membrane vesicles and provide novel insights into this fundamental process used by both cells and a group of pathogenic viruses.