Mechanisms of Ca²⁺ homeostasis and signal integration in primary cilia

Project A22 (Mick) studies the role of the primary cilia. Primary cilia create unique signalling compartments of the eukaryotic cell by orchestrating signalling molecules in a small, refined space. Defects in putative Ca²⁺ channels play a major role in cilia-dependent disorders, such as polycystic kidney disease. The central goal of this project is to determine basic mechanisms of Ca²⁺ homeostasis in cilia and how they impact the signalling environment of cilia in health and disease. To this end we are combining advanced quantitative proteomics techniques with microscopic approaches using a novel cilia Ca²⁺ sensor to tackle these questions from multiple angles.