News from the Institute

The UCT (Universitäres Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen, University Cancer Center) science conference on 21.06.23 was organized jointly between the Philipps University of Marburg and the Goethe University of Frankfurt. It entails a diverse program in translational cancer research from basic science to clinical trials. The prize for the best oral presentation at the UCT conference was awarded to Lina Herhaus for her presentation: Tumor immune evasion through IRGQ-directed autophagy.

Mitochondria play a crucial role in various cellular functions, necessitating the maintenance of proper protein functionality through protein quality control pathways. When mitochondria experience protein misfolding stress, they initiate a transcriptional response to enhance the expression of mitochondrial chaperones and proteases. This process, known as the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), aims to restore proteostasis within the mitochondria. Although the UPRmt was discovered more than two decades ago, the exact signaling pathway by which mitochondria communicate with the nucleus to activate the UPRmt in humans has remained elusive.
 

Following the unexpected announcement of Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF) to stop core funding for its Center for Protein Research (CPR) in Copenhagen after 2024, former members of CPR’s Scientific Advisory Board have published an article in EMBO reports to highlight the hidden risks of jointly funded, “mission-driven” projects. The authors – amongst them IBC2 director Ivan Đikić – highlight the importance of protecting funding for basic research to enable pioneering discoveries. They propose to establish standards for funding bodies to ensure transparency and consistency. Ultimately, the goal is to foster a vibrant basic research community for the benefit of society and future generations.

International research teams from Goethe University Frankfurt and Jena University Hospital find mechanisms involved in regulation of structure and function of endoplasmic reticulum and elucidate a development of hereditary neurodegenerative diseases

Alexandra Stolz, group leader at the Institute of Biochemistry II of Goethe University Frankfurt, received one of the prestigious Exploration Grants from the Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation. Her project aims to identify small molecules with impact on selective autophagy pathways that can be subsequently developed into potential drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.