Membrane Trafficking

The Membrane Trafficking Laboratory, led by Ikerbasque Research Professor Aitor Hierro at the Biofisika Institute (CSIC-UPV/EHU) in Leioa, Spain, studies intracellular receptor recycling, crucial for nutrient uptake, signal transduction, immune surveillance, and waste management. Disruptions in this process are linked to diseases like cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative disorders. A key focus is endosomes, major sorting stations where biosynthetic and endocytic pathways intersect. The lab investigates the retromer complex, a unique protein coat system that integrates receptor recruitment with membrane tubulation. Unlike classical coat complexes, retromer forms a “cage-free” structure. Using X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, tomography, and in vitro reconstitution, the group uncovers fundamental mechanisms. Collaborations with cell biology and virology experts ensure a comprehensive understanding of intracellular trafficking and its role in health