Eukaryotic cells are organised in membrane-bound compartments that constantly and actively exchange material. Coat complexes promote transport of proteins between compartments by generating cargo-loaded membrane vesicles. Tight regulation of traffic ensures that each class of protein is delivered to the right place at the right time, so that cells can function smoothly and communicate with each other. 

The first step in trafficking, cargo exit from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), is mediated by the COPII coat.
We use a combination of biochemistry and structural biology to understand how COPII function is regulated, for example to promote secretion of large extracellular matrix components such as procollagens. Find out more.


The lab is part of the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology at Birkbeck College. 

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Contact details: 

Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck College
Malet St. London, WC1E 7HX
02076316898
g.zanetti at mail.cryst.bbk.ac.uk

 

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Work in the lab was started thanks to a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin fellowship, and is currently funded by an AMS/Wellcome Trust Springboard award, a BBSRC project grant, and an ERC Starting Grant.