Proteins perform a variety of essential tasks in all cells of our body. In order to fulfill their biological functions, these chain-like molecules must fold into specific three-dimensional patterns. This process was originally thought to occur spontaneously. However, work by Prof. Dr. Franz-Ulrich Hartl, director of the Cellular Biochemistry Department at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried, showed that in our cells protein folding is mediated by helper molecules.
These helper molecules are called chaperones, since these molecules make sure that proteins behave, i.e. fold, correctly. Incorrectly folded proteins tend to clump together to aggregates, which disturb cell functions in various ways and can cause neurodegenerative pathologies, such as Alzheimer’s dementia, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease. The insight that age-related diseases are caused by incorrectly folded proteins offers opportunities for novel therapeutic approaches. Prof. Hartl’s current research particularly focuses on these therapeutic approaches.
Information on participating / attending:
The lecture is aimed at scientists and students and will be in English.
Registration is not required.
Date:
09/23/2016 14:00 - 09/23/2016 15:30
Registration deadline:
09/23/2016
Event venue:
Freie Universität Berlin
Lecture Hall Inorganic Chemistry (H101)
Fabeckstr. 34-36
14195 Berlin
14195 Berlin
Berlin
Germany
Target group:
Scientists and scholars, Students
Email address:
Relevance:
regional
Subject areas:
Biology, Chemistry, Medicine
Types of events:
Presentation / colloquium / lecture
Entry:
09/07/2016
Sender/author:
Andrea Bölling
Department:
Pressestelle
Event is free:
yes
Language of the text:
English
URL of this event: http://idw-online.de/en/event55288
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