Research projects of current students
- Thomas Pohlmann
- Start Date: October 2008
- Nationality: German
- Diploma Thesis:
The CUE-domain protein Cud1 affects growth and pathogenicity of Ustilago maydis (2008) Philipps-University, Marburg
- Research Group:
AG Feldbrügge, Institute for Microbiology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany
- Research Project Description:
Long-distance transport of mRNAs is important in determining polarity in eukaryotes. In the fungal pathogen Ustilago maydis this process is mediated by the RNA binding protein Rrm4 which is a key component of large motile ribonucleoprotein complexes (mRNPs) shuttling along the microtubule cytoskeleton. Disruption of long-distant mRNP transport by deleting or mutating rrm4 leads to defects in filamentous growth and a reduced virulence. The aim of my thesis is to identify components of the Rrm4-dependent mRNA transport machinery and furthermore investigate the role of this transport on diverse cellular developmental processes. For my research I apply in vivo imaging techniques to study the subcellular localisation of involved components and targets of the long-distance RNA transport as well as molecular and biochemical methods to investigate their respective cellular function.
