Research Group VAN DER SLUIJS

Faculty of Medicine, UMC-U, Dept. of Cell Biology
Contact: Dr. Peter van der Sluijs
E-mail: P.vanderSluijs@umcutrecht.nl
Website: http://www.cellbiology-utrecht.nl/groups/vandersluijs/index.html

General research focus: Role of endosome-lysosome secretion in brain and immune system

The endosomal-lysosomal system comprises a network of intracellular organelles involved in such mundane but nevertheless essential functions as eating and drinking. It is clear that this elaborate network of membranes provides a critical platform for intracellular signaling pathways regulating amongst others cell motility, polarity, cytokinesis, development, and immune functions.
Malfunction in the execution of these basic cellular tasks causes severe human diseases, including cancer.

Our aim is to define the molecular principles controlling the orderly flow of information through this network.

Approaches
The experimental avenue we take is to screen for novel proteins involved in endosome-lysosome function using proteomic formats or two hybrid assays. Candidates are then verified by independent experiments and functionally characterized in cells, and via collaborations in simple genetic systems.

Projects
1. To understand the role of unc13-d and p45 in polarization and degranulation of secretory lysosomes in haematopoietic cells
2. To establish the mechanisms involved in biogenesis of secretory lysosomes
3. To characterize the role of the endosomal system in the morphogenesis of dendritic spines in postsynaptic neurons

Techniques: Cell culture, recombinant DNA and protein methods, RNAi, microscopy, proteomics

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