Grant: Operating Grant

Peroxisomes are ubiquitous intracellular organelles that perform a myriad of important biochemical functions, most notably in lipid metabolism and the detoxification of reactive oxygen species. The requirement of peroxisomes for normal human development and physiology is underscored by the lethality of the peroxisome biogenesis disorders, genetic diseases in which peroxisomes fail to assemble. As the peroxisome biogenic pathway has been highly conserved during evolution, we exploit yeast as a model system to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the peroxisome biogenesis disorders. Our research aims for a better understanding of the molecular bases of the peroxisome biogenesis disorders to provide for future rational genetic and/or therapeutic intervention.