Biophysical Characterization of Cell Cohesion

A research internship studying the structure, binding properties, regulation, and disease relevance of desmosomal cadherins. Desmosomal cadherins provide strong intercellular adhesion and are most abundant in tissues constantly exposed to mechanical stress, such as the heart and the epidermis; dysfunction of desmosomal cadherin interaction leads to severe diseases such as pemphigus (in the skin and mucous membranes) and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. The group investigates the structure and binding properties of desmosomal cadherins to understand their regulation and dysfunction in the respective diseases.