Funding for SFB Targeted Protein Degradation extended

The controlled degradation of proteins is essential for cellular function and fitness in all organisms, yet not fully understood. The consortium of thirteen research groups that comprise the SFB in ‘Targeted Protein Degradation’ aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms of cellular proteolytic pathways, among them the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy. Coordinator and Perutz group leader Sascha Martens has assembled a team of outstanding scientists in Vienna and Berlin who employ a diverse array of methods and model organisms. “The synergies within our SFB will help to unravel the mechanisms of protein degradation in cells, a process which can be targeted in the treatment of diseases, particularly neurodegeneration and cancer”, Sascha Martens explains. Achievements in the first funding period include a better understanding of how giant E3 ubiquitin ligases, notorious for the challenges they present for their study due to their large size, recognize their substrates. The consortium also revealed new players in the subcellular localization of the UPS to the nucleus and acquired insights into the mechanisms by which the autophagy machinery identifies its targets. Furthermore, scientists from the SFB discovered new modalities for the action of molecular glues in reprograming E3 ligases for the inducible degradation of proteins, which has major implications for the design of novel therapeutics.

The second funding period will build on these discoveries. The major focus remains the targeted degradation of proteins by the UPS and autophagy in the cytoplasm and the nucleus. However, the consortium will expand research to other cell organelles. In addition, the consortium will expand their portfolio of techniques to include in vivo cross-linking and limited proteolysis mass spectrometry. The SFB includes Perutz research groups led by Andreas Bachmair, Elif Karagöz, Alwin Köhler, Sascha Martens, and Gijs Versteeg, and is complemented by groups from GMI, IMBA, IMP, CeMM, and the Max-Delbrück-Center in Berlin. The total funding for the 8-year duration of the project amounts to €11 million. Read more about the SFB here.

Successful prolongation of two more SFBs

With participation of Perutz group leaders Florian Raible and Kristin Tessmar-Raible, the Special Research Program ‘Stem Cell Modulation in Neural Development and Regeneration’ aims to dissect the molecular mechanisms that control and modulate the differentiation of stem and neural progenitor cells into specialized neurons in the central nervous system. The project has received funding of €9.5 million for two periods and is led by Jürgen Knoblich of IMBA. Read more about the SFB here.

Eleven research groups, including the labs of Stefan Ameres and Isabella Moll at the Perutz, collaborate in the special research program ‘RNA-DECO’ which investigates the impact of chemical modifications on the structure and function of specific RNAs. The total funding for the 8-year duration of the consortium amounts to €10 million. Read more about the SFB here.