Intern
GRK 2243 "Understanding Ubiquitylation: From Molecular Mechanisms to Disease"

Caroline Kisker (vice-spokesperson)

Prof. Dr. Caroline Kisker

Rudolf-Virchow-Zentrum - Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging
University of Würzburg
Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, D15
D-97080 Würzburg

Tel.: 0931 31-80381

Email: caroline.kisker@uni-wuerzburg.de
Web: www.virchow-zentrum.uni-wuerzburg.de


Research Area:
Structural Biology, Biochemistry

The Kisker lab aims to understand processes that are important for the maintenance of genomic integrity such as the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway. A special focus is the development of inhibitors to target this pathway in cancer cells. We also utilize a structure-based drug design approach to identify new therapeutics against human pathogens. Based on these research interests we pursue within the GRK 2243 the structural and functional analysis of the human deubiquitinase Usp28 to decipher its interaction with the E3 ligase Fbw7 and thereby obtain insights into its role in tumorigenesis. The chlamydial deubiquitinase Cdu1 targets ubiquitylated Mcl-1 in vitro and in vivo, thus preventing apoptosis. Understanding substrate recognition, binding and its enzymatic activity will be essential steps towards the development of new inhibitors.

Research projects: Project B1, Project B3, Project B4