Exploiting divergent biology of two fission yeasts to understand membrane function

Membranes made of many types of lipid molecules compartmentalize and organize cells. Deregulation of the lipid repertoire has severe consequences for cellular physiology. In humans, it is linked to neurological disorders, cancer and metabolic diseases. Defining how lipid composition controls membrane organization and cellular physiology remains a major challenge in biology. I propose to tackle this problem by exploiting an ‘experiment of nature’. In spite of being closely related, S. pombe and S. japonicus yeasts have different lipid repertoires and exhibit remarkable differences in cellular processes. By analysing and reverse engineering variant aspects of lipid metabolism in these sister species we will probe the core principles that govern membrane organization. We will explain how changes in lipid composition affect membrane properties. We will elucidate the organization and evolution of genetic networks regulating membrane homeostasis. Finally, we will test if the expansion of the lipid repertoire affects cellular physiology and adaptation.