Research focus: Transmembrane signaling by receptor tyrosine kinases

Our research group, Molecular Cell Biology, MCB, is part of the laboratory for Biomolecular Research in the Biology and Chemistry Department at the Paul Scherrer Institut, PSI, in Villigen, Switzerland. PSI is part of the ETH Bereich.

The focus of our research is transmembrane signaling by receptor tyrosine kinases. In particular, we study Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors which regulate blood vessel formation in angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. We are interested in the molecular mechanisms regulating VEGF receptor activity and generate molecular tools to interfere with receptor activation. We recently determined the structural changes induced in the extracellular receptor domain upon ligand binding. We now investigate how such structural changes in the extracellular receptor domain lead to the activation of the intracellular kinase domain. Finally, we study signal propagation in VEGF stimulated endothelial cells.

Location

Our laboratories are located on the East campus of the Paul Scherrer Institut. The PSI is located close to Villigen about 35 km north-west of Zürich and 55 km east of Basel. You easily reach us either by public transportation or by car.

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