Introducing BIOSS´s New Professor for “Structural Biology”

Prof. Carola Hunte Full Professor Centre for Biological Signalling Studies (BIOSS) Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Freiburg, Germany

Carola Hunte joined BIOSS as the new Professor for Biochemistry and Structural Biology in February 2010. She moved to Freiburg from the University Leeds, where she was appointed a Chair in Membrane Biology. Her interest in membrane proteins started with her doctorate degree, which she obtained at the University of Bonn. She worked as a postdoctoral fellow with Hartmut Michel at the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics (Frankfurt/M.) and became a group leader at that institute in the Department of Molecular Membrane Biology. She received the FEBS Anniversary Prize and the Boris-Rajewsky-Prize of Biophysics.

Carola Hunte´s research focusses on the elucidation of structure and the function of membrane proteins involved in biological energy conversion and ion transport. A combined approach of molecular biological, biochemical and biophysical methods is followed. Her specific area of expertise is the crystallisation and x-ray structure determination of membrane proteins and recombinant antibodies as crystallisation facilitators.

Membrane proteins do not work alone. Interplay with other proteins and lipids is essential for their full functionality. In their new laboratory, Hunte´s group will target respiratory multi-subunit assemblies as well as eukaryotic and human transporters and their association with intra-cellular signalling pathways.

• What was most appealing to you when you made your decision to move to Freiburg?
  The attractive scientific environment in Freiburg.
• What are you looking forward to the most?
  Interesting scientific discussions and exploring Freiburg and its surroundings.
• What are you going to miss the most?
  The friendly atmosphere and vivid life in the North of England, the one-man-queue and toast with orange marmalade.