Lipid droplets play crucial roles in maintaining cellular balance and are implicated in various disorders, such as hepatic, neuronal, and cardiovascular conditions. Their formation begins in the endoplasmic reticulum through the phase separation of neutral lipids synthesized within the bilayer membrane. These nascent lipid droplets then mature into spherical structures within the cytoplasm, often maintaining connections with the endoplasmic reticulum. Consequently, lipid droplets emerge as intracellular emulsion droplets encapsulating neutral lipids and enveloped by a phospholipid monolayer. Proteins embedded within this phospholipid monolayer regulate the majority of lipid droplets' biological functions. Dysregulation of lipid biogenesis and the proteome is a hallmark of various diseases, leading to numerous pathologies.

Therefore, understanding the modulation of the lipid droplet proteome composition is crucial for comprehending its involvement in diverse cellular processes and disease states. Proteins primarily access lipid droplets through two pathways: the cytosol and the endoplasmic reticulum, known as CYTOLD and ERTOLD proteins, respectively. However, the mechanisms directing proteins to the lipid droplet surface from the endoplasmic reticulum remain much more unclear. In this context, I will discuss our latest research findings on the mechanisms guiding protein targeting to the lipid droplet surface.

15:00: Coffee Break

15:15: Rehani Perera (C9, AG Schrul): Novel insight into the structural rearrangement of hairpin proteins during ER-to-LD partitioning

15:30: Anna Burgstaller (AG Staufer): 3D artificial lymph nodes to study activation dynamics of T-cells

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