The EMTHERA members Martin Beck, Ivan Đikić and Stefanie Dimmeler have been awarded with an Advanced Grant of the European Research Council (ERC). This is the third time Ivan Đikić and Stefanie Dimmeler receive the prestigious grant that comes along with research funding in the amount of € 2.5 million for the next five years. Martin Beck has previously been awarded with both an ERC Starting and an ERC Consolidator Grant.
Dr. Martin Beck, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics „Beyond nucleocytoplasmic transport – Nuclear pores as self-regulating valves for flux across the nuclear envelope – NPCvalve“: In his project, Martin Beck plans to tackle the hypothesis that nuclear pores may act as self-regulating valves for flux across the nuclear envelope. Nucelar pore complexes are known to enable transport of macromolecules between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Recent findings indicate that there may be more function beyond nucleocytoplasmic transport. The results of this research will contribute to a better understanding of how cells deal with acute mechanical stress and reveal new therapeutic options for diseases.
Professor Dr. Ivan Đikić, Goethe University Frankfurt „Endoplasmic reticulum remodelling via ER-phagy pathways - ER-REMODEL“: With his grant, Ivan Đikić intends to unravel molecular mechanisms of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) remodelling via ER-phagy pathways. As the largest intracellular membrane system, the ER covers important functions in numerous processes. To fulfill its diverse tasks, the ER is constantly adapting its shape. Within his project, Ivan Đikić will now explore the novel concept of ubiquitin-driven receptor clustering igniting the entire process of membrane remodeling. The emerging data will not only provide new insights in the organelle dynamics, but will also help to understand the impact of ER and ER-phagy on neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and infections, which has been known to exist for a long time.
Professor Dr. Stefanie Dimmeler, Goethe University Frankfurt „The cardiac neurovascular interface in aging – Neuroheart“: As aging is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, knowledge about mechanisms underlying age-related changes is still scarce. In this project, the unique interaction of nerves and vessels in the aging heart will be studied, which likely contributes to the development of age-related diseases of the heart muscle. The long-term goal is to lay the foundation for the development of therapies that contribute to healthy aging of the heart. Link to European Research Council – ERC Advanced Grants:
Link to Hessian Ministry for Science and the Arts:
https://wissenschaft.hessen.de/presse/grosser-erfolg-fuer-forscherinnen-und-forscher-aus-hessen-bei-europaeischer-foerderung
Link to Goethe University Frankfurt:
https://www.puk.uni-frankfurt.de/117959405/F%C3%BCnf_Europ%C3%A4ische_ERC_F%C3%B6rderungen_f%C3%BCr_Spitzenforschung_an_der_Goethe_Universit%C3%A4t
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