Life Sciences & Biotechnology
Title : | Deciphering the Molecular Mechanism of Curvature Controlled Interaction of Proteins with Biological Membrane and Its Relevancy in Cellular Function: A Spectroscopic and Microscopic Study |
Area of research : | Life Sciences & Biotechnology |
Focus area : | Biophysics, Molecular Biology |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Shirsendu Ghosh, Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (Gitam) University, Andhra Pradesh |
Timeline Start Year : | 2023 |
Timeline End Year : | 2025 |
Contact info : | shirsendughoshiacs@gmail.com |
Details
Executive Summary : | The three-dimensional (3D) topography of the plasma membrane of biological cells is crucial in controlling various fields of cellular physiology, including immunology and cancer biology. The synergy between 3D membrane topography and the conformation and function of membrane proteins is evident, as protein molecules on the concave surface experience a curved membrane surface, leading to more crowding around them. This microenvironment sensed by proteins on the concave surface may change the conformation or folding dynamics of the proteins, affecting their function. However, the role of 3D membrane topography in controlling protein conformation and their effect on cellular function remains unexplored. This project aims to decipher the molecular mechanism of the interaction of membrane proteins with respect to 3D membrane topography using various microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. The project will start with commercially available peripheral membrane proteins and gradually move to more complex membrane proteins, such as Bin/amphiphysin/Rvs (BAR) domain proteins, epsin domain proteins, intrinsically disordered proteins, and transmembrane proteins. The researchers will covalently label membrane proteins in-house using fluorescent probes and investigate the interaction pattern using different spectroscopic microscopic methods. The acquired knowledge about the synergy between membrane topography and conformation, folding dynamics, and function of membrane proteins will be used to unravel more complex questions about the role of membrane topography and membrane projections in controlling the function of immune cells. |
Total Budget (INR): | 33,00,000 |
Organizations involved