Press releases 鈥� 2021
Dec
16
2021
16:09
Cryo-electron microscopy and computer simulations of mitochondrial complex I
Proton translocation pathways in a molecular machine of cellular energy metabolism
The respiratory chain plays a central role in energy metabolism of the cell. It is localized in mitochondria, the cell麓s own power plants. In a new study, researchers from 51猎奇, the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics and the University of Helsinki have determined the high-resolution structure of a central component of the respiratory chain, mitochondrial complex I, and simulated its dynamics on the computer. These findings both support basic research and enhance our understanding of certain neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases that are linked with mitochondrial dysfunction.
FRANKFURT. All
vital processes require a constant supply of energy. In the cell, the
chemically 鈥渃harged" molecule ATP is the main provider of this energy. The ATP power
packs are produced, among others, in specialised small organs (鈥渙rganelles") of
the cell, the mitochondria.
There, the protein complexes of the respiratory
chain pump hydrogen ions (protons with a positive charge) from one side of the
inner mitochondrial membrane to the other (鈥渦phill"), creating a chemical
concentration gradient and an electrical voltage. The protons 鈥渇low downhill" along
this electrochemical gradient through a kind of turbine that generates useful
energy for the cell in the form of ATP.
One of the proton pumps in the first step
of the process is a large, L-shaped biomolecule, mitochondrial complex I (in
short: complex I). Its horizontal arm is anchored in the membrane. The vertical
arm binds the electron carrier molecule NADH, which is produced during
metabolic breakdown of sugar and other nutrients. Complex I catalyses the transfer
of electrons from NADH to ubiquinone (Q10), and the energy released in this
reaction is used to drive the proton pump.
The research team from 51猎奇
and the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics in Frankfurt used cryo-electron
microscopy to determine the 3D structure of complex I at high resolution. The researchers
were able to show that water molecules in the protein structure play an
important role for establishing proton translocation pathways.
The high-resolution structural data
enabled colleagues at the University of Helsinki to conduct extensive computer
simulations, which show the dynamics of the protein structure during its
catalytic cycle.
Dr Janet Vonck from the Max Planck
Institute of Biophysics explains: 鈥淥ur study delivers new insights into how a
molecular machine in biological energy conversion works." Professor Volker Zickermann
from the Institute of Biochemistry II at 51猎奇 says: 鈥淭his
knowledge can contribute to a better understanding of certain mitochondrial
diseases, such as loss of vision in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy."
Publication: Kristian Parey, Jonathan Lasham, Deryck J. Mills, Amina Djurabekova, Outi Haapanen, Etienne Galemou Yoga, Hao Xie, Werner K眉hlbrandt, Vivek Sharma, Janet Vonck, Volker Zickermann: High-resolution structure and dynamics of mitochondrial complex I 鈥� Insights into the proton pumping mechanism. Sci Adv. 2021 Nov 12;7 (46)
An
image can be
downloaded under:
Caption:
A bit like a
boot: The L-shaped structure of mitochondrial complex I at a resolution of 2.1 脜ngstr枚m (0.00000021
millimetres), captured with a cryo-electron microscope. Image: Janet Vonck, MPI of Biophysics
Further
information
Professor Volker Zickermann
Institute of Biochemistry II
51猎奇, Frankfurt am Main
Tel.: +49 (0)69 798-29575
zickermann@med.uni-frankfurt.de
Dr Janet Vonck
Max Planck Institute of
Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main
Phone: +49 (0)69 6303-3004
janet.vonck@biophys.mpg.de
Editor: Dr. Markus Bernards, Science Editor, PR & Communication Department, Tel: -49 (0) 69 798-12498, Fax: +49 (0) 69 798-763 12531, E-Mail: bernards@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Dec
16
2021
16:03
Letter of intent signed today in Frankfurt and Israel 鈥� GU-President Schleiff: 鈥淪tart of even closer cooperation鈥�
51猎奇 and Tel Aviv University plan joint centre
Tel Aviv University and 51猎奇 want to work together even more closely in the future. A letter of intent was signed this morning in the framework of a high-profile Zoom conference, with the aim of establishing a joint research centre for religious studies and inter-religious dynamics.
FRANKFURT. A
strategic partnership has already existed between the two universities since
1984, and the two cities have even been twinned since 1980. Tel Aviv University
and 51猎奇 now want to intensify relations even further 鈥� and
establish the first German-Israeli research institute. Scholars from both
universities, above all in the fields of history and religious studies, have worked
together regularly for many years 鈥� especially the Martin Buber Professorship
at the Faculty of Protestant Theology maintains close ties with Israel. There
is extensive networking between the newly founded Buber-Rosenzweig Institute
for Modern and Contemporary Jewish Intellectual and Cultural History at Goethe
University and the Centre for Religious and Inter-Religious Studies at Tel Aviv
University in the framework of joint workshops and conferences.
The new centre will concentrate on
interdisciplinary research in religious and inter-religious studies, with a
focus on Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Apart from Protestant and Catholic
theology, religious studies, Jewish studies and Islamic studies, other disciplines
will be involved, including history, philosophy, philosophy of science and political
science. Research topics are conceivable in the following areas: multicultural
societies, religious conflicts, migration, fundamentalism and inter-religious
dialogue. For the next 42 months, 51猎奇 will finance the new centre
with 鈧� 50,000 per year and Tel Aviv University
with an annual sum of 鈧�
20,000, especially for summer schools.
A joint directorate will be in charge of the
new centre, which will bring together both senior scholars as well as early
career researchers. There are also plans for joint courses from the 2022 summer
semester onwards and the creation of a joint English-taught master's degree
programme. Professor Christian Wiese, holder of the Martin Buber Professorship
at 51猎奇, Director of the Buber-Rosenzweig Institute and the
research centre's initiator, sees great potential in the partnership: 鈥淚n the
framework of German-Israeli academic relations and the close connection between
the cities of Frankfurt and Tel Aviv, we're creating something very special
here 鈥� an international research hub in the field of interdisciplinary
religious studies that looks at topics from a historical perspective as well as
in the context of present times that challenge both societies, the German and
the Israeli, each in different ways."
The contract was signed today in Tel Aviv
in the presence of Dr Susanne Wasum-Rainer, German Ambassador to Israel. Due to
the pandemic, the participants in Frankfurt joined the ceremony via Zoom. Professor
Ariel Porat, President of Tel Aviv University, headed the meeting on the
Israeli side.
Professor Enrico Schleiff, President of 51猎奇
鈥淲hat we are
agreeing upon today is, as far as I am aware, unprecedented 鈥� at least in the humanities
in Germany. It is not merely a formal cooperation between a German and an
Israeli university, but rather the development of a highly visible, joint
institutionalized international research centre.
The centre is cross-departmental on both sides and
working in an area of study that is most relevant to the German and the Israeli
society alike: the history of and the present challenges in religious
diversity, difference and conflict in pluralistic societies. It will focus on
questions regarding inter-religious dialogue, religious fundamentalism and
conflict, but also on the rich cultural heritage and the potential inherent in
religious traditions. This centre is the start
of an even closer cooperation."
Dr Susanne Wasum-Rainer, German Ambassador to Israel
鈥淎cademic exchange and cooperation are not
only a constitutive pillar of German-Israeli relations. They are also a
contribution to strengthening research and scientific progress as a global
endeavour, in science as well as in the humanities. By declaring their will to
establish a joint Centre for the Study of Religious and Inter-religious
Dynamics, 51猎奇 and Tel Aviv University are addressing one of the
urgent questions of our time, the role of religious communities in a changing
and conflictual world."
Professor Menachem Fisch, initiator at Tel Aviv University
鈥淚'm delighted to be involved in the
setting up of such a unique, first-of-its-kind centre for the study of the
monotheistic faiths and their reciprocal development. It is a worthy initiative
and another building block in academic collaboration between the two
countries."
Uwe Becker, President of the German Friends
Association of Tel Aviv University
鈥淭his MOU marks a new milestone in the
special relationship between the two universities and is also another bridge of
understanding between Frankfurt and Tel Aviv. The new centre will for sure
contribute to a better inter-religious dialogue from different angles and
perspectives. I am proud that with the launch of the new German Friendship Fund
we will also help students to participate in this German-Israeli experience and
benefit from the activities of the German Friends Association of Tel Aviv
University."
Professor Milette Shamir, TAU Vice President (International)
鈥淭el Aviv University has a wide collaborative
network with German universities, more than with any other country in Europe.
This collaboration includes hundreds of joint research projects as well as
hundreds of German students who come to our campus each year. The joint centre
expands this collaboration in an important new direction and reinforces our
existing partnership with 51猎奇, one of the leading universities in
Germany. We hope that in the near future GU and TAU will expand collaboration
to several other areas of common strength."
An
image for download:
Caption:
51猎奇 and Tel Aviv University
want to establish a joint research centre for religious studies and
inter-religious dialogue. The letter of intent was signed at a large gathering,
with GU president Professor Schleiff (left) and Professor Wiese participating
via video link. (Photo: Uwe Dettmar)
Further
information
Professor Christian Wiese
Buber-Rosenzweig Institute for Modern and
Contemporary Jewish Intellectual and Cultural History
Faculty of Protestant Theology
51猎奇
Tel.: +49(0)69 798-33313
Email c.wiese@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Editor: Dr. Anke Sauter, Science Editor, PR & Communication Department, Tel.: +49 69 798-13066, Fax +49 69 798-763-12531, sauter@pvw.uni-frankfurt.de
Dec
6
2021
17:00
Processing of written and spoken language are closely aligned
Reading and speaking follow a similar tact
When we read, our gaze moves over the text in a certain pattern. This pattern resembles 鈥� to a surprisingly high degree 鈥� the rhythm of spoken language, as a team of researchers, with the significant involvement of 51猎奇, has discovered. Their research results were published on 6 December in the journal 鈥淣ature Human Behaviour".
FRANKFURT. When
we read, we let our eyes wander over the text. In the process, our eye
movements follow a characteristic temporal rhythm. In the framework of eye
movement experiments and a meta-study with 14 different languages, an
international team of researchers, with the significant involvement of Goethe
University, has discovered that this temporal structure of reading is almost
identical to the dominant rhythm of spoken language. It can be concluded from
this, they say, that the processing of written language on the one hand and of spoken
language on the other are far more similar than previously assumed. The research
results have now been published in the scientific journal 鈥淣ature Human Behaviour".
Other research institutions involved were the University of Vienna, the Ernst
Str眉ngmann Institute in Frankfurt, New York University, the Max Planck
Institute for Empirical Aesthetics, also in Frankfurt, and the University of
Salzburg.
Languages and writing systems are central
elements of human communication. For thousands of years, writing systems have
enabled us not only to share information face to face but also to store it in a
tangible form and make it permanently available. 鈥淩eading is one of humanity's
most fascinating cultural achievements," says first author Dr Benjamin Gagl,
who until recently was a research associate at the Institute of Psychology,
51猎奇. 鈥淪poken language also influences reading. Until now,
however, little has been known about the common underlying mechanisms of
reading and spoken language," explains Gagl, himself a psychologist.
Together with an international team led by
Professor Christian Fiebach, Gagl explored these mechanisms by comparing the
temporal structures of reading with those of spoken language. This revealed
that the rhythmic sequences of eye movements when reading and the dominant
rhythm in speech signals are almost identical. These findings shed new light on
the interface between written and spoken language.
For their study, the team transferred
frequency analysis methods, which are already widely used for examining
phonetic speech signals, to the study of eye movements. This approach was
applied in two studies at 51猎奇 and one at the University of
Salzburg. Apart from a comparable rhythm in reading and speaking, a direct
temporal coupling of reading and speech processes was detected in less
experienced readers. More practiced readers, by contrast, read faster and were
able to extract more information from the text between two eye movements. In
addition, the authors documented in a meta-study all eye movement studies of
reading published in scientific journals from 2006 to 2016 and estimated the
temporal rhythm of reading for 14 languages and several writing systems. This
revealed that reading rhythm is slower in logographic writing systems (such as
Chinese), which can be explained by the greater effort required for the visual
analysis of more complex characters.
鈥淭he results show correlations between
spoken and written language in a novel and previously unknown way," says
Christian Fiebach. 鈥淚n the course of evolution, the language processing systems
of the human brain have specialised in the temporal sequences of spoken
language. On the basis of our current results, we assume that these language
systems serve as a kind of 'clock' for our eyes when reading, so that they send
the information they've read to the brain in an optimal temporal rhythm and in
this way facilitate its further analysis. This hypothesis can now be
investigated in greater depth with the methodological approach presented here."
Publication: Gagl, B., Gregorova, K., Golch, J., Hawelka, S., Sassenhagen, J., Tavano,
A., Poeppel, D. & Fiebach, C. J. (accepted). Eye movements during text
reading align with the rate of speech production. Nature Human Behaviour.
Further
information
Dr Benjamin Gagl
University of Vienna
Cognitive Science Hub & Department of
Linguistics
Sensengasse 3a
1090 Vienna
benjamin.gagl@univie.ac.at
Professor Christian Fiebach
51猎奇
Institute of Psychology
Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 6
60323
Frankfurt am Main
fiebach@psych.uni-frankfurt.de
Editor: Dr. Anke Sauter, Science Editor, PR & Communication Department, Tel.: +49 69 798-13066, Fax +49 69 798-763-12531, sauter@pvw.uni-frankfurt.de
Nov
25
2021
11:27
New publication on the proceedings of an important conference at the Institute for Law and Finance聽
Green banking 鈥� the perspective of politics, banks and investors
Everyone is talking about green banking 鈥� and were too at the recent global climate conference in Glasgow. But to what extent are economic concepts really forward-looking and green? A book published by the Institute for Law and Finance at 51猎奇 looks at this question.
FRANKFURT. 鈥淕reen Banking and Green Central Banking: What are the
right concepts?" This is the title of a book in English that has now appeared
as the ninth in the series Future of the Financial Sector 鈥� to coincide with
the debates at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow,
which ended last
Friday. Green banking was
a hot topic at the conference, known internationally as COP26.
The book, published by De Gruyter, Berlin,
comprises papers presented at a conference held by the Institute for Law and
Finance (ILF) of 51猎奇 in January 2021 that dealt with questions related
to green banking and green central banking. Over 1,000 people took part online in
this conference. The book, edited by Andreas Dombret and Patrick Kenadjian, contains
the opening address on the topic of climate change and central banking by
Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, and remarks by Jens
Weidmann, President of the Deutsche Bundesbank, on the role central bankers
should play in combating climate change. Further distinguished authors include
senior policy makers, bankers and investors, among others G眉nther Br盲unig, CEO
of KfW Bankengruppe; Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank (EIB);
Wiebe Draijer, Chairman of the Managing Board, Rabobank; Christian Sewing, CEO
of Deutsche Bank; Jose Manuel Campa, Chairman of the European Banking Authority;
John Berrigan, Director General, DG Financial Stability, Financial Services and
Capital Markets Union (FISMA), European Commission; and J枚rg Kukies, State Secretary
at Germany's Federal Ministry of Finance. They write about the tasks that their
institutions could assume in the battle against climate change.
Publication: Green Banking and Green Central Banking: Andreas Dombret and Patrick S.
Kenadjian (eds.), Vol. 24, Institute for Law and Finance Series, De Gruyter,
English, 2021, PDF & EPUB ISBN: 9783110752892, 鈧�69.95, bound edition ISBN:
9783110752878, 鈧�69.95.
Picture
to download:
Caption:
The book on the proceedings
of the conference in the ILF Series (Vol. 24) published by De
Gruyter.
The ILF conference took place on 25 January
2021. Further details on the speakers and the contents of the conference can be
found under the following link:
Further
information:
Dr Rolf Friedewald, Managing Director
Institute for Law and Finance
Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz
3
60323
Frankfurt am Main
Tel.: +49(0)69-798-33626
Email: friedewald@ilf.uni-frankfurt.de
Editor: Dr. Anke Sauter, Science Editor, PR & Communication Department, Tel.: +49 69 798-13066, Fax +49 69 798-763-12531, sauter@pvw.uni-frankfurt.de
Nov
12
2021
14:39
51猎奇 and Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies agree on closer collaboration in new cooperation agreement
Joining Forces in the Theoretical Natural Sciences
Starting next year, 51猎奇 and the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS) will intensify and expand joint research projects and the exchange of scientific knowledge. A new cooperation agreement has laid the legal foundations for this. The contract was signed yesterday, on November 11th.
FRANKFURT. Interdisciplinary
basic research in the natural sciences, life sciences, neurosciences, and
computer sciences - in these areas 51猎奇 and FIAS have been
collaborating since the research institutes foundation in 2003. The new
contract will allow for easier coordination of existing projects and the start
of new projects.
"The contract will give us the
freedom to conduct even more interdisciplinary research and to design our
projects complementary to the questions of the two partners," University
President Prof. Dr. Enrico Schleiff said at the signing of the contract
yesterday evening. "However, it is important for us that FIAS is now
closely linked with the university's natural science departments. For example,
a project at FIAS can now also be applied for through the university."
"Even though FIAS acts autonomously
and independently, there have of course always been close ties between the two
institutions. We are looking forward to strengthening and structurally
anchoring this cooperation now," said Prof. Dr. Volker Lindenstruth,
Chairman of the Board of FIAS. He signed the cooperation agreement together
with his board colleague Dr. Rolf Bernhardt.
For example, it is planned to jointly
develop technical and content-related topics of high-performance computing in
the natural and life sciences within the framework of the Center for Scientific
Computing (CSC); only recently, 51猎奇 was accepted into the
national network for high-performance computing. Another goal is to intensify
cooperation in the life sciences: for example, researchers are already
cooperating on the LOEWE focus on multi-scale modeling (CMMS), which aims to
quantify complex biological systems, and the cluster project ENABLE, which is
investigating the internal balance of cells (homeostasis), to help develop
novel drugs for inflammation and infection diseases. Thus, FIAS will be
involved in preparing the future Excellence Initiative of the Federal Government.
In addition to funding ongoing projects,
51猎奇 has also developed a fellowship program to support its
researchers in starting new projects with FIAS. In this way, researchers get
the opportunity to devote themselves to new creative and interdisciplinary
approaches to their research at FIAS during a sabbatical.
About 80 scientists work at FIAS, and
several fellows also conduct research and teaching at 51猎奇. The
two institutions also work together to promote young researchers; at the
Frankfurt Graduate School for Science (FIGSS) at FIAS and the program to
support doctoral students at the GRADE Center iQbio at 51猎奇.
51猎奇 established FIAS in 2003
as a foundation under civil law. Since then, FIAS has been promoting science in
interdisciplinary, theoretical basic research in the natural and life sciences.
In doing so, it operates as an ambitious, independent scientific institution.
At the same time, FIAS is a hub for research activities at 51猎奇
and at various surrounding research institutions and thus will be essential for
the preparation of the next Excellence Initiative.
Images
to download:
Caption: Goethe
University and Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies agree on closer
collaboration in new cooperation agreement: 51猎奇 President Prof. Dr. Enrico Schleiff (2. from
the left) and the chairmen of the board of FIAS, Prof. Dr. Volker Lindenstruth
(left) and Dr. Rolf Bernhardt, after signing the contract (Picture: S盲lzer/FIAS)
Further information
Prof.
Dr. Volker Lindenstruth
Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies
Faculty
of Computer Science and Mathematics
Goethe-University
069 798 47688
info@fias.uni-frankfurt.de
Editor:
Pia Barth, PR & Communication Department, Tel:
+49(0)69 798-12481, Fax +49(0)69 798-761
12531, p.barth@em.uni-frankfurt.de