Receptor mapping in platelets by Expansion Microscopy

• Applicants: Professorin Dr. Katrin G. Heinze; Professor Dr. Bernhard Nieswandt
• Subject Area: Hematology, Oncology ; Cardiology, Angiology
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 451036415

The interaction of platelets with von Willebrand factor (vWF) is crucial for the initiation of hemostasis, thrombosis, and beyond. This interaction is mediated by glycoprotein (GP) Ibα, but how exactly platelet adhesiveness is triggered remains largely elusive. We postulate that dimerization of GPIbα triggers changes in the membrane organization of the receptor complex that modulate adhesiveness independently of classic agonist-induced signaling pathways. A relatively new form of super-resolution imaging, expansion microscopy, is of central importance in this project. Here physical expansion of the sample enables molecular resolution and thus the mapping of receptors and their binding partners over a large sample thickness.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants