The cell nucleus contains most of the genetic information and as such is a compartment requiring precise spatial and temporal organization in terms of both overall structure and many other functional aspects. In the nucleus, the genetic material is stored, protected from damage, duplicated, divided, recombined and repaired. Furthermore, to fulfil its biological function, the genetic information needs to be released from the nucleus by controlled gene expression. All these fundamental events rely on multiple processes that are tightly interconnected and make the nucleus by far the most complex organelle. In order to approach an understanding of the functional organization of the nucleus, a broad and multidisciplinary approach is required.

The teams of the doctoral programme (Initiativkolleg, IK) “Functional Organization of the Cell Nucleus” work on different aspects of the biology of the nucleus. The research fields covered by the IK members include the topics of chromosome pairing and segregation, chromatin structure and dynamics, histone modification, nuclear architecture, nuclear trafficking, signal transduction, nuclear protein modification (e.g. by SUMO, ubiquitin), general transcription machinery and gene expression. The doctoral programme provides an incentive to establish a framework for exchange of information and experience that will be beneficial for both the graduate students and the IK research teams. In addition to different aspects of the biology of the nucleus, the IK teams use a variety of model organisms (i.e. M. musculus, S. cerevisiae, S. pombe, C. elegans, A. thaliana) exploring conserved as well as diverse features of the nuclear organization. The frequent exposure of students to the topics represented in the IK will deepen their understanding of the subject. This will in turn facilitate the development of new approaches, techniques and ideas. The students will in addition benefit from the international environment and excellent research infrastructure of the Max F. Perutz Laboratories, the host institution of all doctoral programme teams. Altogether, we expect the IK to improve the quality of training and career opportunities of the IK graduates.