Workshop with Prof. Heather Hofmeister (Joint Event with GenEvo, 4R, SFB1361, and SFB1551)
2024-02-01 15:30 - 19:30 UTC | Rhineland-Palatinate
We are pleased to invite you to participate in a workshop with Prof. Heather Hofmeister entitled “Navigating challenging conversations within power hierarchies”.
This half-day workshop will focus on how to navigate “difficult” conversations and differences in understanding each other based on different gender, cultural backgrounds, and expectations and locations in the power hierarchy and will be specifically designed for PhD students & early postdoctoral researchers from 4R, GenEvo, SFB 1361, and SFB 1551.
The workshop will be held on Thursday, February 1st, from 15:30 to 19:00, followed by a pizza dinner. Please mark your calendars! Official registration for the workshop will follow in January. Participation will be credited with 2 hours (towards your IPP certificate).
To ensure that the workshop also addresses any more specific questions or requests, please feel free to share them with us in advance using this link (anonymous).

SFB 1551 Seminar Series Event - Dorothee Dormann
2024-01-11 09:00 - 11:00 UTC | Rhineland-Palatinate
Talk announcement for Dorothee Dormann.

Experimental methods to study aggregation-prone RNA-binding proteins (part 2)

SFB 1551 Seminar Series Event - Prof. Dr. Christoph Weber
2023-12-14 11:00 - 12:00 (Europe/Amsterdam) | Rhineland-Palatinate
Talk announcement for Prof. Dr. Christoph Weber.

Christmas Colloquium (Jointly organised by SFB1361, SFB1551, GenEvo, 4R-RTG)
2023-12-13 16:00 UTC | IMB Seminar Room, Ackermannweg 4, Mainz, 55128, Germany
We are delighted to invite you all to a Christmas Colloquium on Wednesday, 13 December 2023 starting at 16:00, and followed by dinner and merriment! This is a joint event organised by SFB 1361, SFB 1551, GenEvo, and 4R-RTG.

There will be an interesting talk given by a 2023 Alexander von Humboldt Professorship recipient, Prof. Hanna Kokko. She is a theoretical evolutionary biologist and is currently based in JGU carrying out research to better understand the interaction between evolutionary and ecological processes.

The event is open to all members of the SFB 1361, SFB 1551, GenEvo, and 4R-RTG. So, mark your calendars and come join us in the IMB seminar room for the talk and get-together afterwards!

Postponed - SFB 1551 Seminar Series Event - Prof. Dr. Tassula Proikas-Cezanne
2023-12-07 10:30 - 11:30 UTC | Rhineland-Palatinate
Talk announcement for Prof. Dr. Tassula Proikas-Cezanne.

A role for WIPI beta propellers in autophagy and neurodegeneration
By Prof. Dr. Tassula Proikas-Cezanne
Eberhard Karls University Tübingen · Interfaculty Institute of Cell Biology (IFIZ)

SFB 1551 Seminar Series Event - Dr. Emanuele Buratti
2023-11-09 10:30 - 12:00 UTC | Rhineland-Palatinate
Talk announcement for Dr. Emanuele Buratti

Axon guidance genes are regulated by ALS associated TDP-43 and RGNEF genes through the rate of long-intron processing
By Dr. Emanuele Buratti
International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

SFB 1551 Seminar Series Event - Dorothee Dormann
2023-10-12 09:00 - 11:00 UTC | Rhineland-Palatinate
Talk announcement for Dorothee Dormann

SFB 1551 Annual Retreat
2023-10-04 09:00 - 2023-10-06 18:00 UTC | Kloster Höchst, Kirchberg 3, Höchst im Odenwald, 64739, Germany
Content is protected.

SFB 1551 Workshop - Science & Communication
2023-10-02 09:00 - 11:30 UTC | Rhineland-Palatinate
We are having a Science & Communication workshop on October 2, 2023.
Talks included in this workshop:
“Natural Product research: a journey back to the future”
“The heart is the central organ of the body, but what about science?”
“Investigating New Drug Options for Temozolomide-Resistant IDH1 Mutant Glioma”
“Hydrogen’s Horizons: Harnessing Nature’s Hints and Novel Notions”

SPP 2191 annual meeting 2023
2023-09-24 08:00 - 2023-09-28 17:00 UTC | Rhineland-Palatinate
Save the dates for our upcoming annual meeting in Dresden.
September 24 – 28, 2023

More info on location, registration and program will follow soon!

SFB 1551 Seminar Series Event - Svenja Morsbach
2023-09-14 09:00 - 11:00 UTC | Biocenter I, EG 00.187, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15, Mainz
Talk announcement for Svenja Morsbach

SFB 1551 Seminar Series Event - Martin Girard
2023-08-24 09:00 - 11:00 UTC | Biocenter I, EG 00.187, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15, Mainz
Talk announcement of Martin Girard
————————————————————————————————————————————————-
*From lead to cells: digital alchemy, multicomponent mixtures, and chemical regulation*
by Dr. Martin Girard
Max-Planck-Institute for Polymer Research

Public Outreach Event: Verjüngung ist möglich. Die neuesten Erkenntnisse der Zellbiologie
2023-06-27 18:00 - 19:30 UTC | Institute of Molecular Biology, Ackermannweg 4, Mainz
Öffentlicher Vortrag von Nina Ruge
Nina Ruge / Prof. Dr. Dorothee Dormann (SFB 1551, IMB/Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz) / Prof. Dr. Peter Baumann (IMB/Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz) / Clemens Hoch (Minister für Wissenschaft und Gesundheit des Landes Rheinland-Pfalz) / Moderation: Christof Niehrs (Gründungsdirektor und wissenschaftlicher Direktor, IMB).
Wir laden Sie am Dienstag, 27. Juni um 18:00 Uhr herzlich an das Institut für Molekulare Biologie (IMB) in Mainz ein, wenn Nina Ruge sich in ihrem Vortrag „Verjüngung ist möglich. Die neuesten Erkenntnisse der Zellbiologie“ damit auseinandersetzt, was wir heute schon – wissenschaftlich fundiert – für ein gesundes Altern tun können.
Nina Ruge ist bekannt aus Formaten wie dem „heute journal“, „heute Nacht“ und „Leute heute“ im ZDF, und moderierte zahllose weitere Talkshows und TV-Magazine. Heute ist sie schwerpunktmäßig als Autorin tätig, u.a. als Fachautorin für die ‚Zellbiologie des Alterns‘. Ihre beiden Bücher, „Altern wird heilbar. Jung bleiben mit der Kraft der drei Zellkompetenzen“ (2020) und „Verjüngung ist möglich. Wissenschaftlich erforscht – was wirklich hilft“ (2021), entführen die Leser:innen in die spannende Welt der modernen Forschung zum Altern und zu „Longevity“.
Im Anschluss an ihren Vortrag wird Frau Ruge mit den beiden Mainzer Forschenden Prof. Dr. Dorothee Dormann (SFB 1551 IMB/Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz) und Prof. Dr. Peter Baumann (IMB/Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz) und Minister Clemens Hoch (Minister für Wissenschaft und Gesundheit des Landes Rheinland-Pfalz) neueste Erkenntnisse der Alternsforschung und deren Bedeutung diskutieren. Moderiert wird die Veranstaltung von Prof. Dr. Christof Niehrs (Gründungsdirektor und wissenschaftlicher Direktor, IMB).
Die Veranstaltung ist eine Kooperation des Instituts für Molekulare Biologie (IMB) und des Centre for Healthy Ageing (CHA) in Mainz und wird unterstützt vom SFB 1361.
Vortrag und Diskussion werden auf Deutsch gehalten und richten sich an ein breites Publikum.
Die Besucheranzahl ist begrenzt, wir bitten daher um verbindliche Anmeldung bis zum 16. Juni hier

Joint SFB 1551 & TRR 146 Seminar Series Event - Abhishek Singharoy
2023-06-21 14:30 - 16:00 UTC | Minkowski Room, Staudingerweg 7, Mainz, Germany
Talk announcement of Abhishek Singharoy

*Biophysics at the Dawn of Exascale Computers – The Age of Molecular Simulation Bots*
Abstract:
Molecular modeling of biomolecular assemblies exemplifies a disruptive area holding both promises and contentions. We will start with a brief story of simulating the first ever cell organelle in molecular details to find how nature has chosen survival fitness over efficiency of energy transfer as an evolutionary design . Despite such advances in exascale computing, biophysical simulation continues to grapple with handling molecular diversity. So, we will employ deep learning approaches often used in Google searches, called the inception network, to marry interaction signatures from alphafold models and proteomics analysis with predictable patient outcomes. An application will highlight how molecular modeling is used at an industrial scale to de-risk vector-based vaccines for distribution across 194 countries. We will conclude by seeing how transient interactions are difficult to predict, and path integrals with reinforcement learning offer a possible way to track diversity of dynamics.
by Assistant Prof. Abhishek Singharoy
Arizona State University
School of Molecular Sciences

Joint SFB 1551 & SFB 1361 Seminar Series Event - Matthias Altmeyer
2023-06-16 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | Seminar room 2nd floor, Ackermannweg 4, Mainz, Germany
Talk announcement of Matthias Altmeyer

*Dynamics and Functions of DNA Repair Compartments*
Abstract:
Genome stability is constantly challenged by reactive byproducts of
cellular metabolism and environmental toxins. Dedicated repair pathways
have evolved to deal with DNA damage, and their malfunctioning is
associated with human diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration.
Elucidation of the hierarchy and temporal order in which DNA damagesensing
proteins as well as signaling and repair factors assemble around
DNA lesions has painted a complex picture of tightly regulated
macromolecular interactions that build specialized nuclear compartments
to facilitate repair and maintain genome integrity. While many of the
underlying interactions, e.g. between repair factors and damage-induced
histone modifications, can be explained by lock-and-key or induced fit
binding models assuming fixed stoichiometries, structurally less well
defined interactions, such as the highly dynamic multivalent interactions
implicated in biomolecular condensate formation by phase separation,
also participate in the formation of multi-protein assemblies at sites of
DNA damage. In this seminar, a summary and an update will be provided
on efforts to characterize and better understand the dynamics and
functions of cellular DNA repair compartments and how they coordinate
maintenance of genome integrity in space and time.

by Prof. Dr. Matthias Altmeyer
University of Zurich
Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease

Talk_Announcement_Altmeyer

Gutenberg Workshop - Multivalent Interactions in Aging – Targets for Intervention?
2023-05-03 09:00 - 2023-05-05 13:30 UTC | Kloster Wasem, Edelgasse 15, Ingelheim, Germany
This workshop will bring together experts in molecular aging, biopolymer interactions and polymer theory to discuss how non-deterministic, multivalent and disordered biomolecular interactions contribute to cellular function. While multivalent interactions come with a certain degree of resilience to perturbation, it is well known that disturbances of such interactions contribute to aging and devastating degenerative diseases. At this workshop, participants will discuss our current understanding of non-deterministic assemblies driven by disorder and multivalency and possible pathways towards the design of new and innovative intervention strategies to treat age-associated diseases.

Confirmed Speakers:
Simon Alberti, TU Dresden (GER)
Thomas Boothby, University of Wyoming (USA)
Alexander Buell, DTU (Denmark)
Della David, Babraham (UK)
Lin Guo, Thomas Jefferson University (USA)
Martin Hetzer, ISTA (Austria)
Tuomas Knowles, University of Cambridge (UK)
Chiu Fan Lee, Imperial College (UK)
Sua Myong, Johns Hopkins (USA)
Rohit Pappu, Washington University in St Louis (USA)
Kausik Si, Stowers Institute (USA)
Liesbeth Veenhoff, ERIBA (Netherlands)
Susanne Wegmann, DZNE (GER)
Scientific Organizers: Dorothee Dormann and Edward Lemke

SFB 1551 Seminar Series Event - Lin Guo & Rohit Pappu
2023-05-02 10:00 - 18:00 UTC | Biocenter I, EG 00.187, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15, Mainz
Professors Lin Guo and Rohit Pappu will visit for a talk on May 2, 2023.

*Hidden complexities of condensates formed by simple systems*
Abstract:
Application of the physics of associative macromolecules has led to growing recognition that condensates, even of relatively simple systems, form via hierarchies of processes governed by sequence-encoded molecular grammars that go beyond LLPS. The talk will present data and results from experiments and simulations that highlight the importance of phase separation coupled to percolation for systems governed by homotypic interactions, and the relevance of the coupling between microphase and macrophase separation in systems where homotypic and heterotypic interactions work together. Broader implications for complex multicomponent systems will also be discussed.
by Professor Rohit Pappu
Washington University in St. Louis
Department of Biomedical Engineering

*Reversing Aberrant Phase Transitions of ALS-linked Disease Protein: FUS*
Abstract:
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) mediates the formation of diverse membraneless organelles, such as stress granules (SGs) in the cytoplasm. Despite clear biological utility, dysregulated liquid-liquid phase separation can be detrimental. For example, phase-separated stress granules enrich RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), such as TDP-43 and FUS, which have an intrinsic tendency to form fibrils that are closely tied to fatal neurodegenerative disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Therefore, it is important to understand how cells regulate the liquid-liquid phase separation of biomolecular condensates, which includes maintaining beneficial phases and simultaneously preventing pathological phase separation and fibrillization. As RNA-binding proteins localize mainly in the nucleus, the phase separation of FUS and TDP-43 can be regulated by both nuclear import receptors and short RNAs. For example, we found that phase separation of FUS can be regulated by Karyopherinβ2 (Kapβ2), which recognizes the proline/tyrosine–nuclear localization signal (PY-NLS) at the C-terminus of FUS protein. On the other hand, phase separation of TDP-43 can be regulated by the Importina/Karyopherinb1 complex, which binds to the canonical NLS of TDP-43. In vivo, Kapβ2 prevents FUS accumulating in stress granules, restores nuclear FUS localization and function. By preventing and reversing aberrant FUS phase transition and cytoplasmic localization, Kapβ2 is able to rescue neurodegeneration caused by disease-linked FUS. Our results indicate that regulating FUS LLPS by nuclear import receptors could be potential therapeutic strategy for ALS/FTD.
by Professor Lin Guo
Thomas Jefferson University
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
LinGuo_RohitPappu_Talk_Announcement_02052023

RMU-RNA Salon - "Genomics approaches in RNA biology"
2023-04-25 12:30 - 19:00 UTC | Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Riedberg Campus, Room 0.100, Frankfurt, Germany
10. Mini-Symposium
“RNA condensates & computational biology”

Keynote speaker
Dorothee Dormann (IMB/JGU Mainz) – “RBP phase transitions & neurodegeneration”
Gerhard Hummer (MPI Frankfurt) – “modelling of disorder & phase separation”

Invited speaker
Bernhard Hampölz (MPI Frankfurt) – ” phase separation & nuclear envelope dynamics”
Stefan Müller (GU Frankfurt) – “RNA condensates & protein quality control”
Michaela Müller-McNicoll (GU Frankfurt) – “subcellular architecture & gene expression control”
Lukas Stelzl (IMB Mainz) -“RBP recognition by condensates & simulations”
Kathi Zarnack (GU Frankfurt) – “RNA regulation & P-bodies”

Submit an abstract for a short talk or poster!
Registration is free at https://bit.ly/3SftutA
10. RMU-RNA Salon – Flyer

Further information: RMU-RNA-Salon@uni-frankfurt.de

Picture a Scientist - an interactive workshop to raise awareness for diversity
2023-04-24 16:00 - 21:00 UTC | Institute of Molecular Biology, Ackermannweg 4, Mainz
Together with the SFB 1361 and GenEvo we are hosting an afternoon workshop to focus on empowerment and to raise awareness for diversity and against discrimination in order to promote a gender- and diversity-sensitive work and research culture.
Science careers are about the science, and they’re also about the people – including how people think about, and treat, each other. We all want a science system that rewards good ideas and good research and which treats everyone fairly. We also as a group have experienced or suspected (or maybe remained oblivious to) the reality that science systems are not always operating fairly for everyone. And when we lose good ideas and good people to injustices, we collectively hurt the quality of the science and our own ethics and values. Let’s look together at some of these themes that we inherited from the past and still live with today in order to change the system for the better.
We would like to invite all group leaders, postdocs and PhD students to join us for a productive discussion and lively exchange of views at our first event on Monday, April 24 2023 4.15-9 pm at IMB, followed by dinner. What we have planned is:

an interactive workshop led by Prof. Heather Hofmeister, looking at patterns in our own and others’ experiences in Germany and comparing German academic power structures to those in other countries, followed by
the screening of the documentary feature-length film from 2020 called “Picture a scientist” about the experiences of underrepresented groups in several fields of science, and afterwards,
work out conclusions and solutions together – and then we get to the pizza!

About the moderator
Heather Hofmeister is a Professor, Speaker, Leader, Coach, Writer, and Researcher. She holds a full Professorship for Sociology of Work at the Goethe University, Frankfurt and is co-director of the Center for Leadership and Behavior in Organizations (CLBO). She researches and speaks internationally on topics in work, gender, diversity, leadership, careers, and science, using a life course and international comparative perspective.
Hofmeister served three years as Vice-Rector at RWTH Aachen University as the first woman in the Rectorate from age 35 and held the first professorship of Sociology with the specialty in Gender and Life Course Research there. In Frankfurt, she served as Chair of the Department of Sociology, Chair of the Board of Examiners, and Dean of Studies at the Goethe University Faculty of Social Sciences. She has led and currently leads large interdisciplinary research projects as PI, serves on the Board of Trustees of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and served on the Board of Trustees at the University of Bamberg. Hofmeister is a trained coach, and she facilitates groups and classes of up to 800. Hofmeister came to Germany from the USA with a Ph.D. from Cornell University in 2002. https://www.heather-hofmeister.com/

About the Movie: Picture a Scientist
Who actually does science? And why is it often still “the male scientist” who wins prestige in our imagination? In PICTURE A SCIENTIST, a female biologist, a female chemist and a female geologist take on these questions and lead the audience on a journey through the experiences of their academic careers.
Using their biographies as examples, the film deals with a variety of problems that are also relevant in the German university system. These include sexualised harassment in everyday university and research life, exclusion mechanisms and unequal treatment, multiple discrimination and the role of leaders and institutions. The film shows the achievements of the past decades, but also makes visible the resistance women have to face at every level of the academic world. It has a disturbing, outrageous effect – and calls for action.

This workshop is open to to all members in our network(s). You may register by filling out our online form here: https://forms.office.com/e/900buyAJbv Registration will come on a first-come, first-served basis.

General Assembly of the SFB 1551
2023-03-16 09:00 - 12:30 UTC | Schulz-Horner Gebäude, C02, Duesbergweg, Mainz, 55128, Germany
This will be the SFB 1551 ‘s first general assembly for all members and associates where we will be discussing general topics such as budgets, seminar talks and planned retreats/summer schools.

We have 3 talks planned by PIs who’d like to join our network:
Carla Schmidt (Biochemistry)
Jan Padeken (IMB)
Shikha Dhiman (Chemistry)

TRR 319 - RMaP and SFB 1551 Seminar - Frederic Allain & Elizabeth Hartland
2023-03-13 14:00 - 16:00 UTC | IPBW Seminarraum I EG 00.111, Staudingerweg 5, Mainz
Talk announcement for the seminar of TRR 319 – RMaP and the SFB 1551

*FUS RNA binding, phase separation and aging as studied by NMR spectroscopy*
by Prof. Dr. Frederic Allain, Institute of Biochemistry
ETH Zurich, Switzerland

*“Legionella, host cell RNA and immunometabolism*
by Prof. Elizabeth Hartland, Monash University
Director and CEO, Hudson Institute of Medical Research
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Australia

Biochemisches Kolloquium & SFB 1551 Seminar Series - Dariush Hinderberger
2023-02-08 17:00 - 18:30 UTC | Biocenter II, Seminarraum EG 00.602, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 17, Mainz
Talk announcement for the Biochemisches Kolloquium (im Wintersemester 22/23) and the SFB 1551

*Turning protein hydration and dehydration as well as function in protein hydrogels – from elastin-like polypeptides to albumin hydrogels*
Abstract: Protein self-assembly into phase-separated states or hydrated, high concentration hydrogels is intricately linked to hydration and dehydration structure and dynamics. Here, it will be shown how mainly electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy on paramagnetic tracer molecules can be used to characterize phase-separating elastin-like polypeptides and derived polypeptides that show thermal hysteresis. Furthermore, the vast tuning parameter space of high-concentration protein hydrogels is explored for the platform of albumin-based hydrogels, hydrogel function can be tuned by e.g. post-translational modification or pH.
by Prof. Dr. Dariush Hinderberger
Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg,
Institut für Chemie – Physical Chemistry
Dariush_Hinderberger_Talk

Colloquium "Macromolecular Sciences" and the SFB 1551 - Evan Spruijt
2023-01-25 17:00 - 18:00 UTC | MPI-P Lecture Hall, Ackermannweg 10, Mainz
Talk announcement for the colloquium “Macromolecular Sciences” and the SFB 1551

*Coacervates as organisers of biomolecular chemistry*
Evan Spruijt
Institute for Molecules and Materials
Radboud University, Nijmegen

Abstract:
Coacervates are condensed liquid-like droplets that can be
formed with molecules ranging from short peptides and
nucleotides to long polymers through liquid-liquid phase
separation. They have been studied extensively in colloid and
interface science for their remarkable materials properties,
and now receive increasing attention as in vitro models
mimicking biomolecular condensates.[1] Moreover, their
ability to sequester a wide range of biomolecules creates a
broad range of opportunities for synthetic cell applications.
However, challenges remain to control phase separation in
crowded environments, to tune interactions between
coacervates and with membranes, and to tailor coacervates
for specific functions. In this talk, we will focus on addressing
these three key challenges by answering the following
questions:
(i) How does the cellular environment affect the formation and
properties of biomolecular condensates and other
coacervates?[2,3] (ii) How do coacervates interact with each
other and with membranes?[4] (iii) How do coacervates
influence the self-assembly and aggregation of proteins?[5]
References
[1] Coacervates as models of membraneless organelles.
Yewdall, N.A., André, A.A.M., Lu, T. and Spruijt, E., Curr. Opin. Colloid Int. Sci. (2021), 52, 101416.
[2] Crowding-induced phase separation and gelling by co-condensation of PEG in NPM1-rRNA condensates.
André, A.A.M., Yewdall, N.A. and Spruijt, E., Biophys. J. (2022), in press.
[3] ATP:Mg2+ shapes condensate properties of protein-RNA condensates and their partitioning of clients. Yewdall, N.A.,
André, A.A.M., Van Haren, M.H.I., Nelissen, F.H.T., Jonker, A. and Spruijt, E., Biophys. J. (2022), 121, 3962-3974.
[4] Endocytosis of coacervates into liposomes. Lu, T., Liese, S., Schoenmakers, L., Weber, C.A., Suzuki, H., Huck, W.T.S. and
Spruijt, E., JACS (2022), 144, 13451-13455.
[5] Biomolecular condensates can both accelerate and suppress aggregation of α-synuclein. Lipiński, W.P., Visser, B.S. Robu,
I., Abolghassemi Fakhree, M.M., Lindhoud, S., Claessens, M.M.A.E. and Spruijt, E., Science Advances (2022), 8, abq6495.
