Human microbiome ecology
The Vieira-Silva Lab explores the ecology of host-associated microbial communities, with a focus on the human gastrointestinal tract. Our research focuses on understanding…
Transgenerational consequences of DNA damage
One of the most fascinating facts of biology is that one organism can develop two fundamentally distinct cellular programmes: the somatic programme,…
Protein disorder in transcription
Transcription is a fundamental process important for all living things. It needs to be precisely executed for cells to function properly during normal growth and in…
Neurocognitive mechanisms of mental resilience
Within our research area “Healthy ageing, neurodegeneration and neuropsychiatry”, led by Kristina Endres, Katharina Geschke/Isabel Heinrich and…
RNA-DNA hybrids, telomere biology & genomic instability
Linear chromosome ends are safeguarded by telomeres. Telomeres shorten during each cell division and eventually replicative senescence…
Integrative systems biology
Overview Genes do not function in isolation. Instead, their products, often proteins, engage in a multitude of physical and functional interactions with other molecules in…
Molecular mechanisms of RNA-binding protein dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases
Our research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, most notably FTD (frontotemporal…
Repair of DNA double-strand breaks by homology-directed repair pathways
The integrity of the DNA in our cells is essential for normal cellular functions. However, DNA frequently encounters many…
Chromatin regulation
The packaging of genomic DNA into chromatin enables its incorporation into the nucleus and provides a complex platform for multi-layered genome regulation and maintenance.…
Chromatin biology & proteomics
Genome stability maintenance Maintenance of genome stability is essential for the prevention of cancer and premature aging. A complex network of proteins and…