cssb Archives

14 November 2024 On the left: illustration of a cell with colourful vesicles inside it. In the middle, model of the propeller-shaped molecular structure of clathrin in light blue. In the right, a roundish light blue shape with a protrusion and three colourful elements attached to it.

On the left: illustration of a cell with colourful vesicles inside it. In the middle, model of the propeller-shaped molecular structure of clathrin in light blue. In the right, a roundish light blue shape with a protrusion and three colourful elements attached to it.

Picky proteins: understanding yeast adaptor protein selectivity

Scientists from EMBL Hamburg and CSSB have revealed key insights into the cellular process of clathrin-mediated endocytosis.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2024

science-technology

15 October 2024 Visual metaphor showing the transport of vitamin B1 in the body.

Vitamin B1’s journey in your body, and why it matters

EMBL Hamburg scientists have gained molecular insights into how we absorb vitamin B1 – a mechanism with implications for disease and drug development.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2024

science-technology

6 June 2024 A schematic of transport of dipeptides (white sticks) by the GLMP–MFSD1 complex. The transporter undergoes the common alternating access mechanism transitioning from outward-open conformation after dipeptide binding in the lysosomal lumen, to the occluded state where both sides of the binding site are closed, to the inward-open conformation enabling dipeptide release to the cytoplasm.

A schematic of transport of dipeptides (white sticks) by the GLMP–MFSD1 complex. The transporter undergoes the common alternating access mechanism transitioning from outward-open conformation after dipeptide binding in the lysosomal lumen, to the occluded state where both sides of the binding site are closed, to the inward-open conformation enabling dipeptide release to the cytoplasm.

Structure and function of new lysosome transporter revealed

The group of Christian Löw at EMBL Hamburg and CSSB, and collaborators from the Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel and CNRS & Université Paris Cité worked together to reveal the structure and function of a previously unknown lysosome transporter, MFSD1.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2024

science-technology

21 December 2023

On the left: image of a protein complex in a shape of a yellow doughnut with blue elements. Above it is a drawing of nucleic acid with arrows connecting nitrogenous bases to different points in the protein complex. On the right: a line with peaks indicating the peaks recorded in mass spectrometry. Above two peaks, there are smaller depictions of the doughnut-shaped complex, one with a blue element and one without.

RNA to rule them all

The Kosinski Group at EMBL Hamburg collaborated with other groups in Hamburg to reveal critical steps in Lassa virus ribonucleoparticle assembly and recruitment, and the crucial role played by RNA in in the Lassa virus life cycle.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2023

sciencescience-technology

15 November 2023 Illustration showing a doorknob with a lock and many protein-marked keys floating towards it.

The secret of molecular promiscuity

Promiscuity is critical for nourishment. How? This question lies at the focus of research by the Löw Group at EMBL Hamburg. Using structural biology methods, they explore how specialised molecules located in the cell membrane allow cells absorb nutrients from their environment.

EMBLetc

2023

15 February 2023 A photo of a scientist operating one of the instruments at the EMBL SPC Facility.

Supporting scientists across Europe: the SPC Facility at EMBL Hamburg

EMBL Hamburg’s Sample Preparation and Characterisation (SPC) Facility offers scientists access to almost all available biophysics technologies. The facility’s staff provides advice and support with experiments and data analysis. The facility is conveniently located just next to the EMBL…

LAB MATTERS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2023

lab-mattersscience-technology

10 June 2022 A colourful structural model of the doughnut-shaped human nuclear pore complex seen from above.

Puzzling out the structure of a molecular giant

Scientists have solved several mysteries around the structure and function of a true molecular giant: the human nuclear pore complex. They created the most complete model of the complex thanks to combining the program AlphaFold2 with cryo-electron tomography, integrative modelling, molecular…

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2022

sciencescience-technology

3 November 2021

In the left, a sketch of the human digestive tract, with pills in the stomach. On the right, a magnifying glass shows a model of the peptide transporter 1 in the cell membrane in the intestine wall. The pills from the left part of the image form a path made of smaller particles, and individual molecules represented by structural formulas. The path connects the intestine on the left to the opening of PepT1 and continues on the other side of the intestine wall. Individual drug molecules enter PepT1 and are transported to the other side of the cell membrane.

Structure of a promiscuous protein will help scientists design better drugs

Scientists at EMBL Hamburg determined the molecular structure of Peptide Transporters 1 and 2. The findings will enable developing drugs that more efficiently pass from the gut to target tissues.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2021

sciencescience-technology

25 October 2021 A collage of the visuals representing each of the three modules of the eSPC platform.

Biophysics analysis made easy with an online tool

EMBL Hamburg’s Sample Preparation and Characterisation (SPC) Facility has released eSPC, an online platform for analysing data from biophysical experiments. The platform enables the scientific community to analyse data from different experiments without the need to travel.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2021

sciencescience-technology

25 June 2021 A close up into the inner membrane of a mycobacterium shows a 3D model of the molecular structure of the mycobacterial secretion system ESX-5, which is located in the inner membrane and consists of multiple proteins shown in different colours.

A close up into the inner membrane of a mycobacterium shows a 3D model of the molecular structure of the mycobacterial secretion system ESX-5, which is located in the inner membrane and consists of multiple proteins shown in different colours.

Structural biology reveals new opportunities to combat tuberculosis

EMBL Hamburg’s Wilmanns and Kosinski groups have determined the detailed structure of a bacterial protein complex critical for tuberculosis infection.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2021

sciencescience-technology

22 February 2021 A scientist (only their hand is visible) inserting a 96-well plate into a sample dispensing device in the Sample Preparation and Characterisation Facility in Hamburg.

A scientist (only their hand is visible) inserting a 96-well plate into a sample dispensing device in the Sample Preparation and Characterisation Facility in Hamburg.

SPC Facility in Hamburg supports a new pan-European consortium

The Sample Preparation and Characterisation (SPC) Facility at EMBL Hamburg is one of the founding members of the Molecular-Scale Biophysics Research Infrastructure (MOSBRI). Within this new European initiative, the SPC Facility will offer services related to membrane proteins, protein complexes,…

CONNECTIONS LAB MATTERS

2021

connectionslab-matters

4 November 2020

SARS-CoV-2 is represented as a sphere with spike proteins poking out of its surface, which give it a corona-like appearance. The spike proteins resemble triangular ‘bushes’ with three tips at the top. In the background, a cell surface is visible with ACE2 proteins poking out of it in many places. The virus is about to attach to the cell surface. The sybodies, represented as tiny V-shaped structures, bind to the viral spike proteins at their tips.

Scientists identify synthetic mini-antibody to combat COVID-19

By screening hundreds of sybodies (synthetic mini-antibodies), scientists have identified one that might stop SARS-CoV-2 from infecting human cells. This work, which holds promise for treating COVID-19, was conducted by EMBL Hamburg and collaborators from the Centre for Structural Systems Biology…

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2020

sciencescience-technology

13 October 2020

Molecular structure of essential light chain protein in Plasmodium glideosome. The atoms connected by bonds are symbolised by short connected lines. They are surrounded by electrons – the electron density is depicted as shapes resembling clouds. Water molecules are visible in several places as red spots. The data used to create this 3D model were obtained using X-ray crystallography at Petra III beamline, at EMBL Hamburg.

How deadly parasites ‘glide’ into human cells

A group of scientists led by EMBL Hamburg’s Christian Löw provide insights into the molecular structure of proteins involved in the gliding movements through which the parasites causing malaria and toxoplasmosis invade human cells.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2020

sciencescience-technology

18 July 2019 Heatmap representing the stability of an integral membrane proteins

First results from CSSB

EMBL scientists collaborate to develop new protocol for screening membrane protein stability

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2019

sciencescience-technology

17 June 2019 A photo of the Hamburg harbour at dusk

EMBL and Tara: Hamburg

EMBL Hamburg and Tara raise awareness of the risks of microplastic pollution and global infection

EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS

2019

embl-announcementsevents

1 February 2019 The E. coli peptide transporter DtpA in complex with nanobody N00 and the prodrug valganciclovir (highlighted) Credit: Yonca Ural Blimke/EMBL

The E. coli peptide transporter DtpA in complex with nanobody N00 and the prodrug valganciclovir (highlighted) Credit: Yonca Ural Blimke/EMBL

Structure of prodrug-transporter complex revealed

Scientists develop structural model that could help in the development of drugs with increased absorption rates

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2019

sciencescience-technology

14 November 2017 Ceremonial hand-over of the CSSB key:

CSSB: A new approach to infectious disease

Inside the Centre for Structural Systems Biology

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2017

sciencescience-technology

6 July 2017

CSSB opens its doors

On 29 June, at a ceremony in front of 700 guests, the Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB) in Hamburg, was officially opened. At the event on the Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) Campus in Hamburg, Helmut Dosch, Chairman of the DESY Board of Directors, presented Head of EMBL Hamburg…

CONNECTIONS LAB MATTERS

2017

connectionslab-matters

2 September 2014