RNA Biology and Posttranscriptional Regulation

Description

The group's main interest is the understanding of mechanisms and cellular functions of RNA-binding proteins and their role in post-transcriptional regulatory networks that control gene expression. Post-transcriptional regulation is highly versatile and adaptable in exploiting cellular time and space. RNA-binding proteins play a key role in the regulation of spatial and temporal changes in protein synthesis through control of transport, translation and decay of mRNA. Deregulation and failed coordination of these mechanisms contribute to the pathophysiological development and conditions. Transcriptome-wide high-resolution maps of RNA-protein contacts allow them to study how these interactions control mRNA fate. Different next generation sequencing approaches are being applied to examine the function of RNA-binding proteins in mRNA biogenesis, translation and decay. In addition, they have developed a UV crosslinking and oligo(dT) purification approach to identify the mRNA-bound proteome using quantitative proteomics. The group uses this method to monitor dynamic changes of the mRNA-protein interactome to capture differentially binding proteins as a consequence of intra- and extra-cellular signals. (Description adapted from working group website: see link above)