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Organisation

Laboratory of Cellular Transport Systems

Division

Lifecycle:1 Oct 2007 →  Today
Organisation profile:

Research of the LabCTS team is focused on the molecular structure and function, the cell biological and (patho)physiological role of several members of the P-type ATPase family of transporters. These molecular machines generate vital ion or lipid transmembrane gradients across various biological membranes, driving many basic physiological processes. More specifically, our research concentrates on two classes of P-type ATPases.
One class concerns the intracellular Ca2+ transporters SERCA and SPCA (P2-type ATPases), which contribute to crucial processes such as contraction, secretion, but also to vital decisions like cell growth, differentiation, multiplication and death.  Deranged P-type mediated active Ca2+ transport is associated with the genodermatoses known as diseases of Darier and Hailey-Hailey, but also with heart failure and cancer.
Expertise in the field of Ca2+ transport ATPases is further valorized in the study of a novel, ubiquitous class of P-type ATPases, named P5-type. With an unknown substrate specificity they represent one of the last blind spots on the P-type ATPase map.  Here we focus in particular on ATP13A2, a lysosomal member associated with a Parkinsonism type of neuropathology known as Kufor-Rakeb syndrome.

Keywords:Heart Failure, Parkinson's disease, Membrane transport, Molecular Cell Biology
Disciplines:Physiology, Molecular and cell biology