Thesis Projects
The thesis projects in RTG 3120 are at the heart of the training and research framework. Once, you have found an interesting project, learn how to apply to our program by visiting the Join Us page.
Thesis projects will be organized in two project areas:
Project area A: Physics of biomolecular condensates
The focus of project area A is on the role of large biopolymers, in particular DNA and RNA, and surfaces in the formation and properties of condensates, the regulation of condensates, the exploration of local interactions in particular the role of the water, as well as the response of condensates with respect to external forces.
Project area B: Biomolecular condensates and biological functions and diseases
The focus of project area B is on the relation between condensates, dysfunction and diseases in particular regarding RNA-condensates, the role of mutations in condensate-forming proteins, under-standing the evolution of condensates and their variation across species, and their role in epigenetics.
| No. | Project name | Main Supervisor(s) | Co-Supervisor(s) | Discipline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Role of surface condensation for the assembly of cortical proteins | O. A. Honigmann | H. Schiessel | Biophysics |
| A2 | Regulation of phase separated droplets | T. Harmon | A. A. Hyman | Theoretical physics |
| A3 | Spectroscopy and local interactions in condensates and organization of the cytoplasm | E. Adams | J. Brugués | Physical Chemistry |
| A4 | Theory and simulation of polymer-assisted condensates | J.-U. Sommer | S. Alberti | Theoretical physics |
| A5 | Capillary forces and the force response of condensates | M. Jahnel and S. Grill | M. Ebisuya and M. Schlierf | Biophysics |
| B1 | Elucidating the mechanisms underlying mRNA translation regulation by condensation | S. Alberti and M. Schlierf | M. Jahnel and S. Grill | Biology/Biophysics |
| B2 | Characterizing the role of RNP granules in ALS | J. Sterneckert | O. A. Honigmann | Biology |
| B3 | Sequence to function mapping of condensate proteomes | A. Toth-Petroczy | J.-U. Sommer | Computational Biology |
| B4 | Role of condensates in biological time across mammals | M. Ebisuya and A. A. Hyman | E. Adams and J. Sterneckert | Biology/Biochemistry |
| B5 | Role of condensates in epigenetics (experiments and theory) | J. Brugués and H. Schiessel | A. Toth-Petroczy and T. Harmon | Biophysics |
Collaborations within the RTG
Click on the different project numbers (e.g. A1) to find out more about the theme of their ongoing collaborations and explore the project details
A2 - Biomolecular condensate regulation (Harmon)
See project details: https://dresdencondensates.org/projects/a2/
A4 - Theory and simulation of polymer-assisted condensates (Sommer)
See project details: https://dresdencondensates.org/projects/a4/
B2 - Characterizing the role of RNP granules in ALS (Sterneckert)
See project details: https://dresdencondensates.org/projects/b2/
A1 - Role of surface condensation for the assembly of cortical proteins (Honigmann)
See project details: https://dresdencondensates.org/projects/a1/
A3 - Spectroscopy and local interactions in condensates and organization of the cytoplasm (Adams)
See project details: https://dresdencondensates.org/projects/a3/
A5 - Capillary forces and the force response of condensates (Jahnel and Grill)
See project details: https://dresdencondensates.org/projects/a5/
B1 - Elucidating the mechanisms underlying mRNA translation regulation by condensation (biophysics and biochemistry) (Alberti and Schlierf)
See project details: https://dresdencondensates.org/projects/b1/
B3 - Sequence to function mapping of condensate proteomes (Toth-Petroczy)
See project details: https://dresdencondensates.org/projects/b3/
B4 - Role of condensates in biological time across mammals (Ebisuya and Hyman)
See project details: https://dresdencondensates.org/projects/b4/
B5 - Role of condensates in epigenetics (experiments and theory) (Brugués and Schiessel)
See Project Details: https://dresdencondensates.org/projects/b5/