Marino Zerial

Marino Zerial is the managing Director of the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics. Zerial is a pioneer in our understanding of the mechanism by which small Ras-like GTPases called Rab proteins control all aspects including the directionality of the secretory and endocytic pathways. He discovered Rab proteins as the first molecular determinants of organelle identity and went on to reveal the mechanisms by which Rabs recruit effector proteins to template the endocytic pathway, with a focus on Rab5protein. This included complete biochemical reconstitution of Rab5-activated endosome fusion using liposomes. His contributions explain the molecular basis of endosome fusion and maturation.