Vesicle-mediated traffic to and through the Golgi Apparatus:
The transport of proteins between various compartments of the secretory pathway is mediated by membrane-bound vesicles that bud-off one membrane and are then targeted to and fuse with another. In order to maintain the integrity of the endo-membrane network and its organelles the fusion of transport vesicles with their target compartments must be precisely regulated. The specificity of transport vesicle targeting and fusion likely requires several components including: GTPases of the Ypt family (Rabs), tethering factors as well as SNARE proteins. It is unlikely that any single component is sufficient ensure the precise degree of specificity required. Using a combination of molecular genetics, biochemistry and structural studies Dr Banfield’s laboratory is examining vesicle-mediated traffic to and through the Golgi apparatus using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system.
Potential research projects include:
Through these studies Dr Banfield’s group hopes to learn more about the precise mechanism(s) of vesicle targeting and membrane fusion events and in so doing gain insight into the biogenesis and maintenance of the Golgi apparatus.