Welcome to the Wendler Lab

Structure and Function of Multiprotein ATPase Motor Assemblies

We investigate the mechanism of force generation in molecular motor proteins of the AAA+ family using single particle cryo electron microscopy. Our main interests are ATPase complexes of the chaperone subgroup, which are responsible for timely destruction or remodeling of their protein substrate. Our aim is to determine high resolution structural snapshots of the assemblies in different physiological states in order to deduce their conformational dynamics. In combination with biophysical and biological techniques the data ultimately lead to a refined mechanistic and functional model of the motor complexes.