P6, Kai Stefan Dimmer

Identification of the mammalian homolog
of fungal ERMES complex

The ERMES complex plays an important role in the formation of contact sites between ER and mitochondria in yeast cells and participates especially in the exchange of lipids. The proteins involved in the same process in higher eukaroytes are so far largely unknown. The goal of our project is to close this gap. Two basic strategies will be applied (1) We will perform genetic screens in the model organism S. crevisiae. (2) Certain proteins that are already known or predicted to be involved in mitochondrial contact sites will be studied in detail (genetic and biochemical methods as well as fluorescence microscopy) concerning their contribution to mitochondrial lipid homeostasis.

Kai Dimmer group webpage