Reconstitution of clathrin mediated processes in vitro - from biology to technology and back

In eukaryotic cells, clathrin is involved in the fundamental process of transport vesicle formation – essential for the internalisation of cell-surface receptors and the sorting of lysosomal enzymes from the trans-Golgi network to lysosomes. Clathrin has the unique property to self assemble into polyhedral lattices. Using in vitro reconstitution techniques and electron microscopy, we investigate the molecular mechanisms behind the formation of these lattices and clathrin transport vesicles. We show that clathrin assembly into lattices suffices to bend membranes and drive vesicle formation. Our research also involves the exploration of the nanotechnological potential of clathrin structures and mechanisms translating our knowledge about clathrin into technology. This enables us to construct extended, functionalized and durable two-dimensional protein lattices on a variety of solid surfaces. In turn, the examination of clathrin from a technological perspective leads to an advanced understanding of clathrin biology.