TRANSPOL · Transport and signalling in Polarized Cells

Aberrant molecular signalling and intracellular trafficking are the molecular cause of many human diseases. TRANSPOL is an interdisciplinary initial stage training network (ITN) at the intersection of cell/molecular biology and membrane physics aimed specifically at the molecular understanding of the functional relationship between intracellular trafficking and cellular signalling and their relevance to human diseases. The importance of intracellular trafficking processes serving as an integral part of signalling has only recently received broader attention and demands further in-depth analysis. This ITN is specifically designed to bridge this gap between “conventional” signalling cascades and processes of membrane fusion, fission and intracellular trafficking. To tackle this important task we have assembled a unique multidisciplinary consortium combining top European scientists from the fields of cell biology, biochemistry, and physics as well as specialists from the private sector. The scientific objectives will concentrate on a better understanding of ligand/receptor-mediated signalling mechanism across the membrane, the lipid/protein interface in endocytosis, the signalling properties of endosomes, and deregulated trafficking and signalling pathways in disease. Three private enterprises are fully integrated in this ITN underlining its intersectorial character. The multidisciplinary research and training program comprises cell biology, protein and lipid biochemistry, biophysics, computational simulations, protein design and systems biology. TRANSPOL has designed a structured 3-year curriculum providing the following hallmarks: 1. A joined academic and industrial training program/2. A combination of local and network wide European training/3. A training in scientific and complementary skills including soft skills/4. An in-depth scientific training focused on a specific PhD topic/5. Doctoral examination under the auspices of external international examiners.