mRNA transport essential for brain function
Neurons are elongated cells with many branches that need to last a lifetime. It seems like an almost impossible task to supply all these distant locations within a neuron with the necessary proteins to stay healthy. Max Koppers will investigate how specific mRNAs are sent to all parts of neurons to enable local protein production and ensure that proteins are produced in the right place and time. These mRNAs are transported to specific locations within neurons, but we still don't fully understand how this happens. This mRNA transport and local protein production are crucial for the development and functioning of the brain.
Role of mRNAs and organelles
Koppers, together with his colleagues, will investigate the molecular mechanisms that determine how mRNAs reach the correct locations in the extensions of neurons. Recent research from his laboratory and other research groups has shown that various organelles, specific functional components of a cell, can carry mRNAs and play a role in mRNA transport and local protein production.
New mRNA and microscopy techniques
Koppers has developed techniques that allow him to visualize how mRNAs travel with different organelles, and he can manipulate these processes using lasers. Using RNA sequencing, he can then identify all the mRNAs in the extensions of neurons to investigate how they reach the correct locations. Koppers will also investigate these processes in the context of the neurodegenerative disease ALS (a nerve-muscle disease) to gain new insights into the origins of this disease, potentially leading to new therapies.
Starting Grant
The ERC uses the Starting Grants to support talented scientists in the early stages of their career in pursuing ground-breaking projects for a duration of five years.