Research group: Biomembranes and Lipid Flippases
We study the functioning, regulation and physiological significance of lipid flippases and their complexes. For this, we apply a broad range of molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics and advanced bioimaging techniques, based on homologous and heterologous expression systems and including the synthesis of specific lipid probes for characterizing membrane properties, protein-membrane interactions and lipid trafficking.
A fundamental feature of eukaryotic cells is their compartmentalization into distinct organelles by biological membranes. Each membrane is composed of thousands of interacting lipids and proteins that are essential to basic processes from photosynthesis to the maintenance of electrochemical gradients across membranes. Many cellular membranes present an asymmetric lipid distribution that is essential for cell survival. This lipid asymmetry is generated by membrane transporters, termed flippases.
- Domestication of novel crops for sustainable food production under a changing climate (see NovoCrops project below)
- Physiological role of lipid flippases (P4 ATPases) in plant health and development
- The mechanism of lipid translocation by lipid flippases of the P4 ATPase family
- Synthetic Biology and metabolic Engineering (see project below)
- Sterol transport by ABC proteins
- NovoCrops: Domestication of resilient wild crops for the generation of novel high-yield agricultural production systems of high nutritional value (supported by NovoNordisk Fonden)
- LIFER: Studies on the regulation of lipid flippases (P4 ATPases) by interacting protein partners (supported by Villum Fonden)
- Engineering yeast membranes for improved production of high-value compounds (supported by NovoNordisk Fonden)
Are you interested in doing a project? Read more about your options in the project database:
Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences have various bachelor and master programmes:
Group members
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosa Laura Lopez Marques | Associate Professor | +4535332602 | |
| Sebastian J Kjeldgaard-Nintemann | Special Consultant | +4535331981 | |
| Thomas Günther-Pomorski | Professor | +4535333373 |
Master Students
- Cristian Moldovan
Contact research group leader
Rosa López-Marqués
Associate professor
M: rlo@plen.ku.dk
Ph: +45 35 33 26 02
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