New Research Training Group investigates changes in membrane proteins

Membrane proteins play an important role in the functioning of cells and tissues. If they are misregulated, this can lead to diseases such as Alzheimer's, cancer, infections and inflammation. The Research Training Group “Regulation of protein complexes at membrane interfaces in pathophysiology” (short: Regulation of membrane proteins, GRK-ReMPro) aims to get to the bottom of these processes and is primarily investigating so-called post-translational changes in membrane proteins. These are changes to proteins after their formation in the cell. Some of these changes, such as the addition of sugar or fat building blocks, are reversible, while others, such as the degradation of proteins, are not. “These modifications are very complex and are often associated with diseases due to dysregulation. Our aim is to gain a better understanding of these fundamental processes,” explained the spokesperson of the new RTG, Professor Christoph Becker-Pauly from the Institute of Biochemistry at the Faculty of Medicine at Kiel University (CAU).

The German Research Foundation (DFG) is funding the doctoral program from October 2025 with around 7 million euros over an initial funding period of five years. This will be used to fund a total of 18 places for candidates in the natural sciences in two cohorts. These will be supplemented by annual scholarships for medical doctoral students. To promote sustainable career planning, the best doctoral students will receive a 12-month postdoctoral fellowship directly following their doctorate. The DFG decides on further funding (for a maximum of nine years) towards the end of the first period.

Training independent and critically thinking researchers

“The special thing about our program is that we offer medical and scientific doctoral training in a 1:1 ratio. We use the synergy from both areas to ensure that doctoral students receive the best possible training,” adds Becker-Pauly, who is also a member of the Cluster of Excellence ‘Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation’ (PMI). Ten scientists from four institutes and one clinic at Kiel University and the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel Campus, are involved in the Research Training Group. The project leaders represent Biochemistry (Prof. Christoph Becker-Pauly, Prof. Markus Damme, Prof. Paul Saftig, Prof. Elmar Wolf), Physiology (Prof. Markus Bleich, Prof. Thomas Baukrowitz, Dr. Marian Hu), Anatomy (Prof. Franziska Theilig), Clinical Molecular Biology (Prof. Sabrina Jabs) and Pediatric Cardiology (Prof. Daniela Panáková).

“Doctoral students in medicine and the natural sciences will benefit greatly from the close cooperation between the participating institutes and clinics in Kiel. Under the joint research topic “Regulation of Membrane Proteins”, we will offer modern training on molecules, cells and organ homeostasis,” emphasized Becker-Pauly. The main aim of the qualification program is to promote and support the scientific expertise of highly motivated doctoral students in the best possible way. It is particularly important to strengthen their scientific independence through an optimal environment with excellent infrastructure and supervision in order to ensure a successful start to a challenging career in science, healthcare or industry.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Christoph Becker-Pauly
Spokesperson of the RTG “Regulation of Membrane Proteins (GRK-ReMPro)”
Faculty of Medicine, CAU 
Institute of Biochemistry
0431- 880-7118
cbeckerpauly@biochem.uni-kiel.de