The role of MAPs in microtubule lattice dynamics (A13*)

• Subject Area: Biophysics
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 200049484

Microtubules are dynamic cytoskeletal filaments that grow and shrink by subunit addition or removal at their tips. In contrast to the tips, the microtubule lattice far from the tips was long considered to be static. The discovery of microtubule lattice dynamics by Aradilla Zapata and collaborators led to a paradigm shift and revealed a new dimension to microtubule dynamics. Based on recent studies, it is hypothesized that lattice dynamics are regulated by microtubule associated proteins (MAPs). A13 therefore plans to investi-gate the influence of MAPs on lattice dynamics. By gaining insight into this interplay, A13 expects to con-tribute to a refined understanding of microtubule function in cells.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1027: Physical Modelling of Non-Equilibrium Processes in Biological Systems
• Applicant Institution: Universität des Saarlandes
• Project Head: Dr. Laura Aradilla Zapata