At IMB, we explore the molecular biology of the nucleus with an overarching focus on gene regulation, epigenetics & genome stability

Regulation of cell fate and gene silencing by liquid-liquid phase separation

René Ketting

The major focus of my lab is gene regulation by small RNAs. Small RNAs are regulatory non-coding RNAs that can have significant effects on translation, RNA stability and on chromatin. We use transgenics, genetics and biochemical and structural approaches to unravel the molecular pathways that are steered by small RNAs. We especially study embryogenesis and germ cell development, using C. elegans and zebrafish model systems.

We are currently working to understand how certain transcripts are selected to be turned into small regulatory RNAs, while others are not. This is crucial to understand, since these molecules fully set the target specificity of the regulatory processes. In addition, we work on understanding how small RNA pathways connect to other aspects of the cell's gene-regulatory programmes, including those active during germ cell specification and differentiation. Finally, an important current aim is to understand how phase separation acts to compartmentalise different steps in small RNA mediated gene regulation.

Research website

Positions held

  • 2015 - 2017: Executive Director, Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz
  • Since 2012: Scientific Director, IMB, Mainz; Professor, Faculty of Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU), Mainz
  • 2010 - 2013: Professor of Epigenetics in Development, University of Utrecht
  • 2005 - 2012: Group Leader, Hubrecht Institute, Utrecht
  • 2000 - 2004: Postdoctoral Researcher, Hubrecht Laboratory, Utrecht
  • 2000: Postdoctoral Researcher, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories

Education

  • 2000: PhD in Molecular Biology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam
  • 1994: Masters in Chemistry, University of Leiden

Selected publications by René Ketting

Placentino M, de Jesus Domingues AM, Schreier J, Dietz S, Hellmann S, de Albuquerque BFM, Butter F and Ketting RF (2021) Intrinsically disordered protein PID-2 modulates Z granules and is required for heritable piRNA-induced silencing in the Caenorhabditis elegans embryo. EMBO J, 40:e105280 Link

Redl S*, de Jesus Domingues AM*, Caspani E, Möckel S, Salvenmoser W, Mendez-Lago M and Ketting RF (2021) Extensive nuclear gyration and pervasive non-genic transcription during primordial germ cell development in zebrafish. Development, 148:dev193060 (*indicates joint contribution) Link

Cordeiro Rodrigues RJ, de Jesus Domingues AM, Hellmann S, Dietz S, de Albuquerque BFM, Renz C, Ulrich HD, Sarkies P, Butter F, Ketting RF (2019) PETISCO is a novel protein complex required for 21U RNA biogenesis and embryonic viability. Genes Dev, 33:857-870 Link

Roovers EF, Kaaij LJT, Redl S, Bronkhorst AW, Wiebrands K, de Jesus Domingues AM, Huang HY, Han CT, Riemer S, Dosch R, Salvenmoser W, Grün D, Butter F, van Oudenaarden A and Ketting RF (2018) Tdrd6a regulates the aggregation of Buc into functional subcellular compartments that drive germ cell specification. Dev Cell, 46:285–301.e9 Link

Almeida MV, Dietz S, Redl S, Karaulanov E, Hildebrandt A, Renz C, Ulrich HD, König J, Butter F and Ketting RF (2018) GTSF‐1 is required for formation of a functional RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase complex in Caenorhabditis elegans. EMBO J, 37:e99325 Link