Research report 2006 - Max Planck Research Unit for Structural Molecular Biology at DESY
Cytoskeleton: Architecture and movement of cells
Authors
Mandelkow, Eckhard
Departments
Zytoskelett (Prof. Dr. Eckhard Mandelkow)
MP Arbeitsgruppen für strukturelle Molekularbiologie am DESY, Hamburg
Summary
The "Max-Planck-Unit for Structural Molecular Biology" in Hamburg investigates the structure and function of biomolecules, with particular emphasis on the applications of synchrotron radiation for the elucidation of protein structures of biomedical interest. The "Cytoskeleton" group focuses on the structure, self-assembly, and dynamics of protein fibers in cells, in particular on microtubules and their associated proteins which are responsible for cell movement, cell division, cell differentiation, or intracellular transport. One of the microtubule associated proteins, tau protein, forms pathological aggregates in nerve cells affected by Alzheimer's disease. Recent findings reveal a linkage between tau's multiple functions and the cellular transport system which could prove essential for the aetiology of Alzheimer's disease.