Cytoplasmic mRNA is routed to "stress granules" (blue) after translational silencing, and delivered to "processig bodies" (yellow) for degradation.
The activity of all genes is controlled in the nucleus at the level of transcription, the process by which a messenger RNA copy is generated from the DNA template. In addition, many genes are regulated at the posttranscriptional level, e.g. by mechanisms that control the translation efficiency and degradation rate of the mRNA in the cytoplasm.
Our main focus is a group of unstable mRNAs that contain AU-rich elements. We investigate how RNA-binding proteins regulate the stability of these mRNAs, and through which pathway the mRNA is degraded. In addition, we search for tumors in which the regulation of mRNA stability is abnormal. These studies are aimed at better understanding the fundamental principles that govern gene expression in normal cells, and at defining novel mechanisms by which the gene expression program is altered in tumor cells.
As members of the DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, we are happy to have guest status at the ZMBH and thereby further the scientific and personal interactions between the two institutes. You may also visit our website at the ZMBH.