Molecular Biology of Microbial, Animal & Plant Cells – (Ph.D.)

This programme unites research activities aimed at an integrated view of the cell and its regulatory networks, with the leading question being how 'subcellular modules' of cells interact and function at the level of genetic information, regulation, physiology and topology. Model systems range from prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea) and eukaryotic microbes to plant and animal cells, including disease models, enabling the identification of conserved principles. Furthermore, platforms are available for the analysis of genomes, transcription signatures, large-scale protein identification, metabolomics, imaging, as well as large-scale analysis and quantitative modelling, all covered by faculty members who are experts in bioinformatics. Research centres around two major themes. The first deals with cell properties and cell fate control, asking how cells control their proliferation and survival, their differentiation and function, and their response to external signals, ranging from nutrients to stress. These interrelated phenomena are based on regulatory networks and their understanding greatly benefits from the identification of common traits across kingdoms. The second theme deals with the topology and dynamics of intracellular compartments. A major task is to identify unifying principles and individual details of how cells achieve, maintain and adjust their spatial organisation.