Other Proteins

We apply single particle cryo-EM to study membrane protein systems and DNA-binding proteins

Membrane protein structure and function

Membrane proteins are central to health and disease. They play essential roles in the functioning of our cells. They regulate cell-cell communication, membrane potential, membrane gradients of pH or ions, the exchange of nutrients and substrates, intracellular signaling, or cell defense. The majority of the targets of today’s pharmaceutical drugs are membrane proteins, whereby G-protein coupled receptors, ion channels, and transporters play major roles.

We use single particle cryo-EM to study the structure of several membrane protein systems, aiming for high-resolution structural analysis of the protein in a lipidic environment (lipid nanodisk), and in the presence of different environmental conditions (pH, salt), ligands or inhibitors, or other protein binding partners.

We also use cryo-electron tomography to study the intracellular location and role of membrane proteins in the cellular environment.

ABCG2, in collaboration with the group of Kaspar Locher, ETHZ.
Taylor et al., Nature 2017.

CRISPR proteins

Craspase is newly identified type III CRISPR–Cas system with two major components: the nuclease Cas7-11, and the protease TPR-CHAT. Craspases perform a delicate balancing act between nuclease and protease activity to achieve immune tolerance and defense in bacteria, and show promise as highly regulatable genome-editing tools. (see Rish&Fu, NSMB News and Views, 2023)

Proposed model of DmCas7-11 regulation by DmTPR-CHAT

In collaboration with+-

In collaboration with

  • Kaspar Locher (ETH Zürich)
  • Jean-Louis Reymond (Uni Bern)
  • Hugues Abriel (Uni Bern)
  • Roland Riek (ETH Zürich)
  • leadXpro.ch (Michael Hennig, CEO)