Autophagy is the process by which cells engulf parts of their cytoplasm within a double membrane bound structure called the autophagosome. The autophagosome subsequently matures into an autolysosome, wherein its contents are degraded. We are interested in the enigmatic mechanisms by which cells form the autophagosomal membrane. We employ biochemistry and light microscopy to investigate these mechanisms. Our ultimate goal is to reconstitute autophagy in vitro and to translate our findings back to in vivo models. Our findings will give important insights into organelle formation and cellular self-organisation.