We are an international team of biologists, biochemists and physicists led by Prof. Dr. Christos Gatsogiannis, dedicated to elucidating the architecture of complex nanomachines by their direct visualization using cryo-EM. This technique allows us to directly visualize biological samples such as proteins, viruses and large macromolecular complexes down to atomic resolution, purified or even in their functional cellular environment. Combined with biochemical, biophysical, molecular biology, and bioinformatics methods, we can provide crucial mechanistic insights, providing a solid framework for understanding their mode of action.

Our research focuses on molecular understanding of peroxisomal biogenesis, its import machinery and associated signaling pathways. We also focus on molecular understanding of the mechanisms of pore-forming neurotoxins and AAA-ATPases, which play key roles in protein quality control. Multidisciplinary research, strong synergies and state-of-the-art infrastructure are required to answer our complex and multifaceted central questions.