Kobenhavns Universitet

Quantitative biology for GPCR signaling investigation


We investigate G Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) signaling at the sub-cellular level by quantitative bioimaging to better understand the involvement in a vast range of diseases of these major drug targets due to their numerous physiological roles.

 

Our multidisciplinary approach is complementary to state-of-the-art approaches. We use homemade cellular assays, analysis software, and advanced micro and nano-scale materials to study the interplay between GPCR chemical and mechanical stimulation and its impact on GPCR tissue-specific pharmacology

Research interests

GPCR signaling at the micro and nanoscale level


Selected publications:


A Photoswitchable Ligand Targeting the β1‐Adrenoceptor Enables Light‐Control of the Cardiac Rhythm. A Duran-Corbera, M Faria, Y Ma, E Prats, A Dias, J Catena, KL. Martinez, D Raldua, A Llebaria, X Rovira (2022) Angew. Chemie Int. Ed.


Mechanisms of PDZ domain scaffold assembly illuminated by use of supported cell membrane sheets. S Erlendsson, TS Thorsen, G Vauquelin, I Ammendrup-Johnsen, V Wirth, KL Martinez, K Teilum, U Gether, KL Madsen (2019) Elife.

 

Membrane curvature regulates sorting of GPCRs within the plasma membrane of living cells in a ligand-specific manner. KR Rosholm, N Leijnse, A Mantsiou, V. Tkach, SL Pedersen, VF. Wirth, LB Oddershede, KJ Jensen,KL Martinez, NS Hatzakis, PM Bendix, A Callan-Jones, D Stamou (2017) Nature Chem Biology

 

Membrane curvature regulates sorting of GPCRs within the plasma membrane of living cells in a ligand-specific manner. TC Møller, VF Wirth, NI Roberts, BPS Jacky, J Bender, A Bach, K Strømgaard, JM Deussing, TW Schwartz, KL Martinez (2013) PLoS One

 

FRET imaging reveals that functional neurokinin receptors are monomeric and reside in membrane microdomains of live cells. BH Meyer, JM Segura, KL Martinez, R Hovius, N George, K Johnsson, H Vogel, (2006) PNAS

 

Supported cell-membrane sheets for fluorescence imaging of membrane proteins. JB Perez, KL Martinez, JM Segura, H Vogel (2006) Advanced Functional Materials

High-aspect-ratio nanostructures for biological applications


Selected publications:


Mapping cell behavior across a wide range of vertical silicon nanocolumn densitie. N Buch-Månson, DH Kang, D Kim, MH Yoon, KL Martinez (2017) Nanoscale


Nanowire-Aperture Probe – Local Enhanced Fluorescence Detection for The Investigation Of Live Cells At The Nanoscale. R Frederiksen, E Alarcon-Llado, P Krogstrup, L Bojarskaite, N Buch-Månson, J Bolinsson, J Nygård, A Fontcuberta i Morral, KL Martinez (2016) ACS Photonics


Towards a Better Prediction of Cell Settling on Nanostructure Arrays—Simple Means to Complicated Ends. N Buch-Månson, S Bonde, J Bolinsson, T Berthing, J Nygård, KL Martinez (2015) Advanced Functional Materials


Modulation of fluorescence signals from biomolecules along nanowires due to interaction of light with oriented nanostructures. R Frederiksen, E Alarcon-Llado, MH Madsen, K Rostgaard, P Krogstrup, T Vosch, J Nygård, A Fontcuberta i Morral, KL Martinez (2015) Nano Letters


A Step Closer to Membrane Protein Multiplexed Nano-Arrays Using Biotin-Doped Polypyrrole. EA Della Pia, JV Holm, N Lloret, C Le Bon, JL  Popot, M Zoonens, J Nygård, KL Martinez (2014) ACS Nano


Tuning InAs Nanowire Density for HEK293 Cell Viability, Adhesion, and Morphology: Perspectives for Nanowire-Based Biosensors. S Bonde, T Berthing, MH Madsen, TK Andersen, N Buch-Månson, L Guo, X Li, F Badique, K Anselme, J Nygård, KL Martinez (2013) ACS applied materials & interfaces


Vertical nanowire arrays as a versatile platform for protein detection and analysis. K Rostgaard, R Frederiksen, YCC Liu, T Berthing, MH Madsen, J Holm, J Nygård, KL Martinez (2013) Nanoscale


Intact Mammalian Cell Function on Semiconductor Nanowire Arrays: New Perspectives for Cell Based Biosensing. T Berthing, S Bonde, CB Sørensen, P Utko, J Nygård, KL Martinez (2011) Small

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Open positions:

- PhD position - GPCR mechanobiology - see https://employment.ku.dk/phd/?show=160819


- Postdoc position - GPCR mechanobiology - see https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/?show=160817


-  Master theses projects:

  • Investigation of GPCR signaling in living cells by quantitative fluorescence imaging
  • Development of novel cellular assays for detection of GPCR signaling
  • Use of novel fluorescent and photoswitchable molecules to investigate GPCR signaling in living cells
  • Development of bioimages analyses tools

The team