RNA Biology

RNA carries out many important roles in the cell: messenger RNAs encode information for protein production, while non-coding RNAs have multiple roles, ranging from gene regulation to the maintenance of DNA integrity. These functions are essential for development, fertility, and cell survival. At IMB, we study the biology of RNAs from transcription to processing and maturation, and interrogate the role that RNA plays in gene regulation and genome integrity to better understand development, reproduction and disease.

Key techniques used: RNA-seq, DRIP-seq, RNAi, in-situ fluorescence microscopy, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), individual-nucleotide resolution UV crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (iCLIP), bioinformatics.

Keywords: RNA modifications, epigenetics, small RNAs, Argonaute, ribosome, non-coding RNA, DNA methylation, antisense, telomeres, germline, R-loops.

IPP Groups in RNA Biology:

GroupDescriptionInstitute
Andreas Wachter

Regulation and functions of alternative splicing in plants

JGU 
Brian Luke

RNA-DNA HYBRIDS, TELOMERE BIOLOGY & GENOMIC INSTABILITY

IMB  JGU 
Jennifer Winter

RNA-mediated regulation of gene expression

UMC 
Julian König

RNA modifications & regulation

IMB 
Lukas Stelzl

GENE REGULATION BY LIQUID-LIQUID PHASE SEPARATION

IMB  JGU 
Marie-Luise Winz

Co-translational quality control in eukaryotic cells

JGU 
Mark Helm

RNA modifications in development

JGU 
Petra Beli

Chromatin Biology & Proteomics

IMB 
René Ketting

Biology of non-coding rna

IMB 
Stephan Grabbe

Skin Immunology & Immunotherapy of Skin Tumours

UMC 
Sven Danckwardt

Dynamics of transcriptome 3’end diversity in development and disease

UMC 
Thomas Hofmann

DNA damage & Cancer

UMC