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SYMPOSIUM ON THE OCCASION
OF THE RETIREMENT OF
GRAHAM WARREN
This month marks the retirement of our Scientific Director and Dean of the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna, Graham Warren. On February 20 th 2017, the Viennese research community thus held a symposium titled “Seeding Success in Science” at the “Kleine Festsaal” of the University of Vienna to honor his achievements after having spent ten successful years in Vienna.
Graham Warren, a native Londoner and member of the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO), the Academia Europaea and the Austrian Academy of Sciences as well as Fellow of the Royal Society of London, was educated in Cambridge and London. Thereafter, he started his own group at the newly instigated European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany in 1977. In 2007, after leading successful research groups in Dundee, London and Yale Medical School, he arrived in Vienna, where he was appointed Scientific Director of the MFPL and Dean of Departments of both the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna. He dedicated much of his career to studying the biogenesis of the Golgi apparatus.
Graham Warren expanded the founding principles of the MFPL: Merit-based selection at all levels from PhD to faculty, leading to appointment and retention of the best in both teaching and research, independence at an early age, especially for junior faculty, provision of core facilities and start-up funds and generation of an environment in which success can flourish.
Examples of Graham Warren’s achievements in seeding success in science (in the shape of his former PhD students and PostDocs) were invited to the symposium as selected speakers: Stella Hurtley, senior editor at Science Magazine, Catherine Rabouille, group leader in Utrecht, Tom Misteli, head of the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland and Brooke Morriswood, group leader at the University of Würzburg.
Kai Simons, Graham Warren’s mentor, former group leader at the EMBL and Director Emeritus of the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden, sent a video elaborating his view of seeding success in an academic environment.
To illustrate the importance of the funding of basic research (not only at the MFPL) Donia Lasinger of the funding organization ‘Wiener Wissenschafts- und Technologiefonds (WWTF)’ was invited to speak at the symposium.
The MFPL’s position as a nationally and internationally recognized leading research and teaching institute is due to a tremendous extent to Graham Warren’s efforts and decisions as Scientific Director. For this, the MFPL, as well as the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna, want to thank him and wish him all the best for his future endeavors. We are certain that he will not stay idle during his retirement. To put it with Kai Simons’ words: “You have to carry the torch further. Good luck, Graham!” Read more |
3D MAP SHOWS GENOME STRUCTURE OF STEM CELLS
To fit into the nucleus, the roughly two-meter long DNA needs to fold. This effort can only succeed if the DNA passes multiple packaging stages – from the double helix to whole chromosomes. From this folding process, various three-dimensional structures of the genome arise that interact with each other and thus influence cellular processes.
So far, researchers described the nuclear architecture with microscopic and modern biochemical methods. They separated the genome into two compartments: A (relatively active) and B (relatively inactive). On an even smaller scale they identified “genome-neighborhoods” and DNA-folds. This way, researchers can investigate regulatory DNA-segments and their interactions and draw conclusions about a gene’s activity, which is sometimes influenced by its localization in the nucleus.
In their recent publication in “Nature”, Martin Leeb and colleagues at the University of Cambridge now report the calculation of complete, three-dimensional genome structures of single haploid murine stem cells.
In the first step, the researchers took snapshots of single stem cells using modern imaging techniques. Next, the team of the University of Cambridge determined the same cell’s genome structure and overlaid the image of the cell with its genome structure model – a revolutionary method. This enables the researchers not only to validate genome models but also to analyze the cellular status and genome structure at the same time.
On top of that, the group investigated the network of pluripotency genes that determine the stem cell’s identity. Over the course of its life, a stem cell receives signals from outside that induce its differentiation into a specialized cell type. This very complex differentiation process is regulated by changes in the network of pluripotency genes and massive changes in the three-dimensional structure of the genome. The structures of the stem cell’s 3D-map are thus literally rebuilt to prepare the cell for its future fate.
Martin Leeb hopes the results will contribute to a better understanding of the molecular processes that govern the coordinated and exact regulation of stem cell differentiation. Read more |
SASHA MARTENS AWARDED PRESTIGIOUS HFSP PROGRAM GRANT
MFPL group leader Sascha Martens was awarded a Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) Program Grant. This highly competitive grant is designed to encourage international scientific collaborations across continents and is shared between the Martens group and researchers from Germany, USA and Japan.
Over the next three years, the HFSP Program Grant will support the joint project named “The physical basis of autophagosome biogenesis” with up to 1.35 M USD (approx. EUR 1.25 M), a research effort between Sascha Martens (MFPL, Vienna), Gerhard Hummer (Max Planck Institute, Frankfurt), James Hurley (UC Berkeley), and Tamotsu Yoshimori (Osaka University).
The researchers joined forces to dig deeper into the characterization of a central cellular process called autophagy, essentially described as the cell's internal cleaning process. Here, a defined set of proteins coordinate the clearing of specific components the cell no longer needs, as well as the removal of unwanted pathogens such as viruses or bacteria. In order to remove this waste, the cell forms something resembling a trash bag called the “autophagosome”, which envelops the desired target.
But how exactly does such an autophagosome form? This is the research question the scientists will focus on, by studying the removal of intracellular bacteria like Salmonella by the autophagosome. Read more
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DP RNA BIOLOGY SECURES FUNDING FOR THREE MORE YEARS
Based at the MFPL and headed by Andrea Barta, the FWF-funded DP RNA Biology is a cross-institutional PhD program. It brings together Vienna’s RNA researchers from the MFPL, the Medical University of Vienna, the University of Vienna, the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA), the Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) and the Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology (GMI).
At the successful FWF evaluation hearing, the reviewers especially lauded the role of the DP RNA Biology as it helped establish Vienna as a true hot-spot in RNA research worldwide.
The FWF will fund the DP RNA Biology for three more years: The 4th funding period started in January 2017, with a total sum of about EUR 2.6 million, of which EUR 1.4 million are allocated to members at the MFPL.
Over a period of 12 years, the DP RNA Biology has now acquired EUR 9.2 million in total and invested in recruiting, educating and supporting PhD students in RNA Biology in order to continue promoting its high-level research in this field. The interdisciplinary education is one of the strongest assets of the program. Read more |
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A warm welcome goes to Sarah Schweighofer who started her PhD in Alexander Dammermann’s lab and Paraskevi Tserou, who started her PhD in Verena Jantsch’s lab.
We are also pleased to welcome Radovan Spurny, who started as PostDoc in Alwin Köhler’s group.
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You still need inspiration for your wish to the Easter Bunny? Good news! The annual Easter market at Schloss Schönbrunn will take place from 1st-17th of April.
The March for Science is an international movement, brought to life in order to support and safeguard the scientific community. On April 22nd, it will take place worldwide, including Vienna. Have a look at the Facebook event for up-to-date information.
Get out your running shoes for the 34th edition of the Vienna City Marathon on April 23rd. Registration deadline is at midnight on April 7th. |
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MFPL PUBLICATIONS
Light-sensing via hydrogen peroxide and a peroxiredoxin.
Bodvard K, Peeters K, Roger F, Romanov N, Igbaria A, Welkenhuysen N, Palais G, Reiter W, Toledano MB, Käll M, Molin M.
Nat Commun. 2017 Mar 24;8:14791<
Conserved Atg8 recognition sites mediate Atg4 association with autophagosomal membranes and Atg8 deconjugation.
Abreu S, Kriegenburg F, Gómez-Sánchez R, Mari M, Sánchez-Wandelmer J, Skytte Rasmussen M, Soares Guimarães R, Zens B, Schuschnig M, Hardenberg R, Peter M, Johansen T, Kraft C, Martens S, Reggiori F.
EMBO Rep. 2017 Mar 22
An engineered minimal chromosomal passenger complex reveals a role for INCENP/Sli15 spindle association in chromosome biorientation.
Fink S, Turnbull K, Desai A, Campbell CS.
J Cell Biol. 2017 Mar 17.
Drug-induced endovesiculation of erythrocytes is modulated by the dynamics in the cytoskeleton/membrane interaction.
Oberwagner W, Sauer T, Hermann A, Prohaska R, Müllner EW, Salzer U.
Blood Cells Mol Dis. 2017 Mar 7;64:15-22.
HDAC1 and HDAC3 Underlie Dynamic H3K9 Acetylation During Embryonic Neurogenesis and in Schizophrenia-like Animals.
Večeřa J, Bártová E, Krejčí J, Legartová S, Komůrková D, Rudá-Kučerová J, Štark T, Dražanová E, Kašpárek T, Šulcová A, Dekker FJ, Szymanski W, Seiser C, Weitzer G, Mechoulam R, Micale V, Kozubek S.
J Cell Physiol. 2017 Mar 16.
The Conformation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Transmembrane Domain Dimer Dynamically Adapts to the Local Membrane Environment.
Bocharov EV, Bragin PE, Pavlov KV, Bocharova OV, Mineev KS, Polyansky AA, Volynsky PE, Efremov RG, Arseniev AS.
Biochemistry. 2017 Mar 17.
Bounds to parapatric speciation: A dobzhansky-muller incompatibility model involving autosomes, X chromosomes and mitochondria.
Höllinger I, Hermisson J.
Evolution. 2017 Mar 8.
RAF1/BRAF dimerization integrates the signal from RAS to ERK and ROKα.
Varga A, Ehrenreiter K, Aschenbrenner B, Kocieniewski P, Kochanczyk M, Lipniacki T, Baccarini M.
Sci Signal. 2017 Mar 7;10(469).
Identifying protein kinase-specific effectors of the osmostress response in yeast.
Romanov N, Hollenstein DM, Janschitz M, Ammerer G, Anrather D, Reiter W.
Sci Signal. 2017 Mar 7;10(469).
In Vitro Reconstitution of Atg8 Conjugation and Deconjugation.
Fracchiolla D, Zens B, Martens S.
Methods Enzymol. 2017;587:377-390.
An Enumerative Combinatorics Model for Fragmentation Patterns in RNA Sequencing Provides Insights into Nonuniformity of the Expected Fragment Starting-Point and Coverage Profile.
Celine Prakash, Arndt Von Haeseler
J Comput Biol. 2017 Mar 1; 24(3): 200–212.
Deciphering the BAR code of membrane modulators.
Salzer U, Kostan J, Djinović-Carugo K.
Cell Mol Life Sci. 2017 Feb 27.
Publications for the MFPL newsletter are collected from PubMed on a monthly basis. However, to ensure that your publication(s) is/are entered into the MFPL publication database and appear on the MFPL website, notify publications@mfpl.ac.at with the following information: PubMed ID (or alternatively all authors, title, journal), information on MFPL authors, and type of publication.
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MFPL ALUMNI
IVO VOJTEK
Shortly after qualifying as a pharmacist, I was given a unique opportunity by Udo Bläsi to enhance my expertise in the field of microbiology and genetics at the MFPL. Later, I completed my dissertation on interactions between S. pyogenes and their bacteriophages, as one of the first students of Emmanuelle Charpentier.
My career within the pharmaceutical industry started with oncology clinical research in the UK, where I learned about how to collaborate with key opinion leaders to address gaps in access to treatment of rare conditions. During this time, I also became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and a member of the Special Interest Group at the Institute of Clinical Research.
After my stay in the UK, I relocated to France, where I had the opportunity to continue my work in the field of biologicals in late phase clinical development for various clients, including Wyeth. All my experiences were ideal for my next position as Clinical Scientist at GSK Vaccines in Belgium. There, I became part of a cutting-edge cancer vaccine development program aimed at therapeutic vaccines.
After several years of clinical development, I became increasingly interested in fostering dialogue between industry, health care professionals and public health stakeholders and joined the Global Medical Affairs team at GSK Vaccines, focusing first on the development of pneumococcal vaccines. Later, I joined the Above Brand team which addresses a wide variety of vaccination topics from a perspective across GSK vaccine portfolio and is active in educational and research activities.
Looking back at my years at the MFPL in Vienna I have come to recognize, that it was not just the knowledge that helped me in my career, but also the way of thinking through projects. The approach to solving problems encountered along that journey accompanied me ever since then.
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RAF1, THE UNEXPECTED MOONLIGHTER
Cells have to be able to interpret environmental signals in order to detect what's going on in their surroundings and elicit the appropriate response. Within cells, signals are transmitted by specific proteins arranged in hierarchical structures, called signalling cascades. Oftentimes, these cascades feature families of proteins that can carry out similar functions. The RAF kinases, which are involved in the control of key cellular pathways such as proliferation and migration, are members of such a family.
In their most recent Science Signaling publication, Manuela Baccarini and her team were now able to identify that RAF1, a member of the RAF family, acts as a signalling hub linking proliferation to cell shape, adhesion and motility. Proliferation and migration are deregulated in human diseases including cancer; thus, the finding that one protein coordinates these two processes is highly exciting.
RAF1 is activated by growth factors or oncogenes, generating an array of RAF1 species that carry distinct phosphorylation patterns. Much as in a blind date, these patterns identify RAF1 as an interaction partner for proteins working in signalling pathways, leading to cell proliferation or to changes in the “skeleton” of the cell and in cell shape and migration.
In an unexpected twist, the Baccarini lab showed that to be a good partner for the proteins that regulate cell shape and migration, RAF1 must already have encountered the proteins that regulate proliferation. The experimental results could be recapitulated in a complex, custom-made mathematical model made possible thanks to a collaboration with the group of Tomek Lipniacki at the Institute of Fundamental Technological Research in Warsaw, Poland. The collaboration was funded by the WWTF. Read more |
SEPARATING SIGNAL FROM NOISE DURING STRESS IN THE HOG NETWORK
Cellular integrity relies not only on intracellular, but also on extracellular parameters. If these parameters in a cell’s environment fluctuate, adaptation is crucial to survive. The adaptation process is facilitated by complex intracellular signal transduction systems.
An example for such fluctuating environmental conditions is high extracellular osmolarity, a condition that disrupts the balance between molecules located inside and outside of a cell. For the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae such hyperosmotic stress means rapid water loss and shrinkage . Yeast cells respond to the stressor with a temporary cell-cycle arrest, reprogramming of gene expression patterns and an increased intracellular concentration of the osmolyte glycerol. These changes are in large part mediated by the “high osmolarity glycerol (HOG)” pathway. The heart of the HOG pathway is the protein kinase Hog1.
In a recent study published in the prestigious journal “Science Signaling”, Wolfgang Reiter and his team from Gustav Ammerer’s group at the MFPL now report the identification of a closely defined set of at least 25 direct target proteins of Hog1, next to a broad set of indirect targets.
On top of these findings, the group reports another player in the osmostress response, the kinase Rck2, which is a direct target of Hog1. Rck2 seems to be a central hub for phosphorylation events mediated by Hog1, meaning that it controls indirect Hog1 signaling in a complex manner.
Wolfgang Reiter hopes that these new insights will serve as a basis for other scientists, who wish to dig deeper into the complex connections of the HOG pathway. Read more |
WELCOME, MARTINEZ LAB!
We are very happy to welcome the Martinez lab to the MFPL.
They successfully completed their move to the 2nd floor in the main building. You can find the lab in room number 2.512 & 2.515, and Javier Martinez's office in room 2.113. Here's to a great time together!
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Well done to Armin Fuchs (group Barta) who defended his PhD thesis on the "Functions of artificial microRNAs and plant-specific SR proteins in alternative splicing”.
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30/03/2017, 11:00-12:00
VBC Regular Seminar
Pattern Formation and Regeneration in a Single Cell
Wallace Marshall
IMBA/GMI Lecture Hall
30/03/2017, 14:00-15:00
Seminar Series on Modern Concepts in Structural Biology
Structural biology guided enzymology: Making highly modified peptides macrocycles
James Naismith
Lecture Hall A&B, VBC5
04/04/17, 10:00-11:00
DK RNA Biology Seminar
A novel class of minimal and RNA-free RNase P in the hyperthermophilic bacterium Aquifex aeolicus
Roland K. Hartmann
IMP Lecture Hall
06/04/17, 11:00-12:00
VBC Regular Seminar
Cell migration and folding of the neocortex
Ruediger Klein
IMBA/GMI Lecture Hall
06/04/17, 14:00-15:00
Seminar Series on Modern Concepts in Structural Biology
Tales from spring brakes
Jorge Alegre-Cebollada
Lecture Hall A&B, VBC5
07/04/17, 13:00-14:00
Impromptu Seminar
The role of BDNF secretion in long-term potentiation of hippocampal and amygdalar synapses
Volkmar Lessmann
IMP Seminar Room 5.058
18/04/17, 09:00-10:00
Impromptu Seminar
Cell fate control through biological clocks and post-transcriptional timekeeping
Helge Grosshans
IMP Lecture Hall
19/04/17, 14:00-15:00
GMI Seminar
Genetics of wheat-leaf rust interaction
Maria Jose Dieguez
GMI Orange Seminar room
20/04/17, 11:00-12:00
VBC Regular Seminar
The cellular and molecular basis for planarian regeneration
Peter Reddien
IMP Lecture Hall
21/04/17, 16:00-17:00
Current Topics at VBC
Effectomics – elucidating the toolbox of a biotrophic fungus
Armin Djamei
IMP Lecture Hall
27/04/17, 11:00-12:00
VBC Regular Seminar
Mutation, Drift, and the Origin of Cellular Features
Michael Lynch
IMP Lecture Hall
27/04/17, 14:00-15:00
Seminar Series on Modern Concepts in Structural Biology
Getting better crystal structures faster: likelihood in Phaser
Randy Read
Lecture Hall A&B, VBC5
28/04/17, 11:00-12:00
Impromptu Seminar
Establishment and Maintenance of Early Embryonic Chromatin Structure
Shelby Blythe
GMI Orange Seminar room
For further meetings and events check the EMBO meetings, Nature’s events directory and Cell Symposia websites!
Policies, guidelines, templates, and information material (annual reports, logo files, living in Vienna etc.) can be found on the infoshare of the MFPL Intranet.
Please inform the communications team of your upcoming publications and news by e-mail to communications@mfpl.ac.at
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