Among the critical players in defining membrane identity and function are Rab GTPases. More than 60 Rabs have been identified in mammalian cells and each one exhibits a specific subcellular localisation. Upon activation by binding GTP, Rabs recruit effector proteins such as molecular motors, enzymes (e.g. PI-3 kinase) and membrane fusion factors, thus conferring specific functions to their target organelles. We are interested in membrane traffic and in particular in the role of Rab GTPases and their interacting partners in the control of vesicle trafficking and organelle motility.
These processes are relevant to many diseases, genetic and acquired. Our approach is to combine fundamental and pathogenesis studies as we believe that each aspect reinforces the other. Therefore, we work on cellular pathogenetic processes that involve dysfunction of intracellular membrane traffic pathways as follows:
1) Host/pathogen interactions in malaria
2) Membrane traffic, retinal pigment epithelium and retinal degenera-tion
3) Novel Therapies
4) Rabs and membrane traffic
5) Molecular Basis of Membrane Identity: Lipid Modifications of Rab GTPases and Membrane Targeting
For more information on each project please click here (PDF)