The Loerch Lab

The Loerch lab studies translational regulation, or simply said, how a cell instructs ribosomes to make the right protein at the right time and in the right place. We use cutting edge cryo-EM methods including single particle analysis (SPA) to determine the high-resolution structures of purified complexes and high-resolution template matching (HRTM) to investigate these complexes in their native environment in the cell. Our goal is to establish a more comprehensive understanding of structure-function relationships of specialized ribosomal complexes.

We have a special focus on neurons, where protein translation in the right place and at the right time is essential for the formation of certain types of memories. When protein translation is dysregulated, neurological issues like neurodegenerative disorders, depression, or autism spectrum disorders arise. Defining the players and mechanisms that govern localized and temporally controlled translation is key for understanding neurobiology and disease. By establishing a mechanistic model of localized translational control we hope to inform new strategies to specifically target developmental and acquired diseases caused by translational aberrations.