Collaborative Research Center 1507

Membrane-Associated Protein Assemblies, Machineries and Supercomplexes

Protein assemblies and molecular machineries in cellular membranes are central to essential life processes. They establish homeostasis in compartmentalized cells, transduce energy, translocate nutrients and metabolites, control the communication within and between cells, and mediate interactions with pathogens. The CRC aims for an in-depth, quantitative understanding of the structure, dynamics, and function of key membrane-associated assemblies, machineries, and supercomplexes as a basis for a multiscale decoding of the associated cellular processes. Despite their pivotal role, protein assemblies and machineries associated with cellular membranes are intrinsically difficult to study and remain poorly understood. Our CRC aims to discover the organizational principles and operational mechanisms of protein assemblies and machineries at and across compartmentalization boundaries.

learn more about us

We are on an exciting journey inside the cell with a mission to gain unprecedented insights into fascinating complexes – tiny, yet imperative for all life.
Robert Tampé,

Head of CRC 1507

International Symposium 2024

New Horizons in Membrane Biology

October 9 – 11, 2024
Goethe University Frankfurt,
Otto Stern Center

Principle Investigators

Project 01

Clemens Glaubitz
(Steering Board)

Project 02

Benesh Joseph

Project 03

Klaas Martinus Pos

Project 04

Inga Hänelt
(Steering Board, Head of IRTG)

Project 05

Josef Wachtveitl

Project 06

Alexander Gottschalk

Project 07

Amparo Acker-Palmer
(Steering Board)

Project 08

Mike Heilemann
(Steering Board)

Project 09

Roberto Covino
(Steering Board of IRTG)

Project 10

Harald Schwalbe

Project 11

Ute A. Hellmich

Project 12

Gerhard Hummer
(Steering Board)

Project 13

Nina Morgner
(Steering Board of IRTG)

Project 14

Volker Zickermann

Project 14

Janet Vonck

Project 15

Bonnie J. Murphy
(Steering Board of IRTG)

Project 16

Melanie McDowell

Project 17

Martin Beck

Project 17

Edward Lemke

Project 18

Robert Tampé
(Head of CRC1507)

Service Project Z02

Lukas Sušac

Early career support

The IRTG of the CRC 1507 promotes the graduate students in performing a successful PhD project and in preparing them for their future career paths. The most important pillars for their qualification will be the mentoring by thesis advisory committees (TAC) individually tailored to the PhD students‘ research focus, a training within the CRC in topics and techniques relevant for their research, and a fine-tuned curriculum in generic skills.

Integrated Research Training Group (MGK)

Gender Equality and family-friendly benefits

Gender Equality

Programs of the Federal State of Hesse support women at different career stages (Mentoring Hessen, i.e. ProAcademia and ProProfessur). Trainings and dual career services established by the partnership Rhine-Main Universities (RMU) provide career support and networks for female scientists. Within our CRC, we pay significant attention to a balance of invited speakers in terms of gender and career stages. Topics of gender, inclusion and diversity awareness are dealt with in interdisciplinary seminars and trainings.

Family-friendly Benefits

All partners involved strive for times around noon as a starting point for seminars, guest lectures and meetings in order to make participation as family-friendly as possible. There is the possibility to relieve scientists with children – no matter if students, postdocs or PIs – by various measures, such as extra bench support, flexible working hours, childcare options during retreats, etc.

In a nutshell

The CRC 1507 investigates protein assemblies and machineries in different membrane environments in agreement with our three overlapping research areas, (i) molecular machines at compartmentalization boundaries, (ii) protein organization and dynamics at the plasma membrane, and (iii) supramolecular assemblies in membranes. Within this framework, examples of research foci are the nanoscale confinement and dynamics of transmembrane receptors, the protein assemblies and machineries in between the inner and outer membrane of bacteria including compartmentalization in biofilms, the analysis and development of optogenetic machines as membrane sensors and actuators, as well as the nanoscale confinement and dynamics of transmembrane receptors and supramolecular structures at the surface of eukaryotic cells and in organellar membrane systems.

Partners