In this first SFB1551 Seminar Series session of the year, Dorothee Dormann followed up on the experimental methods used to study aggregation-prone RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). These proteins are known to pathologically aggregate and condensate in the cytoplasm and are hallmark features of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia (ALS-FTD).

After exploring the in vitro methods in the previous session, Dorothee focused on the “in vivo” methods, using cultured cells, to study RBPs. The lab has specifically targeted Misfolded TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) and Fused-In-Sarcoma (FUS) and focused on Liquid-Liquid phase separation, aggregation behaviour, and nucleo-cytoplasmatic transport assays. Dorothee also approached some not so commonly used methods, which she designated as semi-“in vivo” methods, using semi-permeabilised cells to study Nuclear input and recruitment of RBPs to Stress Granules.

Lastly, Dorothee revealed her future plans to use a more complex “in vivo”-like process to test TDP or FUS using cell lysates. We are excited to hear about these promising new steps in her research.