Detailed depiction of the interface between F-actin (grey) and coronin-1B (blue), a protein complex involved in(cancer)-cell migration.

Wout Oosterheert

Mechanistic structural biology

Proteins are essential molecules that perform virtually every function within the cell. Our group aims to uncover the 3D-structures of protein complexes. This enables us to understand how our cells operate at the atomic level.

We are particularly interested in the mechanisms that underlie (cancer)-cell migration and adhesion. Specifically, we study how the cytoskeleton interacts with the cell membrane using a combination of cryo-electron microscopy and biophysical methods. Our research is driven by curiosity, but may ultimately also contribute to the development of novel anti-cancer drugs.

More about this group

Our research

Team members

Group leader

PhD student

PhD student

Technician

Highlights of this group

Study on actin filament disassembly published in Cell

In this new study that wraps up Wout’s postdoctoral work, we uncovered how the three proteins coronin, cofilin and AIP1 work together to rapidly disassemble actin filaments.