Visual perceptual learning (VPL) – a type of visual skill learning – has often been studied in adults as a model system to identify neural mechanisms of learning. However, it is unclear whether children employ similar neural mechanisms for VPL as adults. In this project, we will use non-invasive brain imaging to measure and compare neural mechanisms of VPL in children and adults and examine whether and if so how learning changes from childhood to adulthood.

The cytotoxicity of organic tin compounds makes them interesting for cancer chemotherapy. Organotin chalcogenide clusters release under acidic decomposition not only an organic tin compound but also an even more toxic hydrogen chalcogenide. To enable biocompatibility of those clusters, they must be derivatized with biomolecules. This project aims to synthesize biofunctionalized organotin chalcogenide clusters and to investigate their decomposition behavior.

Mitochondrial protein import is mediated by the presequence translocase of the inner membrane (TIM23 complex). While Tim17 is central for inner membrane translocation, the exact role of Mgr2, a small transmembrane protein, remains unclear. This project aims to define the function of Mgr2 in precursor protein import, membrane insertion, and translocase stability using genetic, biochemical, and structural approaches.