Scientists at IMBA are passionate about discovery and advancing our understanding of biology. They are recognized leaders in their fields, regularly publishing in the top research journals. Contributions from IMBA research groups are of interest to everyone – including scientists, clinicians, and the public. The Research Highlights below summarize some of the most significant discoveries made by IMBA scientists.
New Austrian Science Fund (FWF) grants for IMBA
(c)IMBA/Tkadletz
To ensure continuance, animal species must make totipotent embryos for the next generation. In sexually reproducing animals, this is achieved by the germline. Germline cells contain a specialized non-membrane-bound compartment, containing proteins and RNAs, called ‘nuage’. Similar to many non-membrane-bound compartments in cells, nuage is proposed to form via liquid-liquid phase separation of macromolecules from the surrounding cytoplasm, a process similar to the separation of oil and vinegar in vinaigrette. Mutations in nuage proteins are associated with loss of germ cell fate and infertility. However, the molecular mechanisms of nuage function remain unclear.
With the stand-alone project grant by the FWF, Shamba Saha aims to investigate the biochemical environment within the nuage phase in C. elegans using a combination of live cell microscopy, in vitro reconstitution, biochemistry, and structural biology approaches. “We are very excited to have FWF’s support to investigate the foundations of this interesting germ cell-specific phenomenon. In the long-term, our study may lay the groundwork for understanding problems with fertility and elucidate ways to address them. ”, says Shamba Saha.
About Shamba Saha
Shamba Saha grew up in India, where he first studied biotechnology and biochemical engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagpur. He then went to the USA and obtained his PhD in molecular biophysics and biochemistry at the renowned Yale University. Subsequently he joined the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden as a post-doctoral fellow, where he contributed to opening up a completely new field of research on the role of macromolecular phase separation in biology. Since 2019 Shamba Saha is research group leader at IMBA.
About the Austrian Science Fund (FWF)
The Austrian Science Fund is the most important Austrian funding organization for basic research. The FWF supports research in science, engineering, and the humanities through a large variety of grant programmes, prizes and by funding infrastructure. www.fwf.ac.at