RTG 2355
Overview
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The RTG 2355 (GRK 2355) is a DFG-funded Research Training Group that brings together experts on different aspects of RNA biology to jointly address RNA-based gene-regulatory mechanisms in a broad range of model organisms. Now in its second funding period (2023 - 2027), the RTG comprises 13 groups from the Justus Liebig University (JLU) Giessen, the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research in Bad Nauheim, the Philipps University Marburg, and the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology in Marburg. Speaker of the RTG is Prof. Dr. Katja Sträßer, head of the Institute of Biochemistry of the Biology and Chemistry faculty of the JLU.
RNA is a central molecule of gene expression that is not only a target of regulation, but also a regulatory agent itself, and we are only beginning to appreciate how versatile the hitherto identified noncoding RNAs are used in cells: as scaffolds and recruiting platforms, protein and RNA sponges, allosteric regulators of protein activity, or molecular sensors. Functioning of these regulatory RNAs can in turn be regulated by mechanisms affecting base-pairing abilities and RNA folding such as RNA editing, base modification or RNA structure remodelling. Within our Research Training Group, we aim to establish how these multiple RNA-based mechanisms contribute to the plasticity of gene-regulatory networks. As regulation of gene expression underpins all cellular processes, this research has the potential to improve our understanding of many topics of medical relevance, such as bacterial biofilm formation, diet-induced changes to metabolism, virus infection, and disease.
Due to the large number of topics and model organisms studied within our group, and the resulting diversity in seminars within the RTG and by invited speakers, during retreats and symposia, the RTG's doctoral students gain a thorough background in RNA biology; day-to-day research on the candidates' thesis projects, internal lab rotations, workshops and short-term stays in laboratories abroad convey practical experience in state-of-the-art RNA technologies. Our qualification programme thus provides an internationally competitive research-oriented education for our doctoral students. Complemented by transferable skills courses, coaching of student assistants and peers ("learning-by-teaching") and inclusion in the organization of seminars and events ("learning-by-doing"), it furthermore enables them to address future scientific challenges in all kinds of environments, be it academia, industry, science management, publishing, patent agencies, regulatory authorities, legal affairs, or politics. |
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Overview
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The RTG 2355 (GRK 2355) is a DFG-funded Research Training Group that brings together experts on different aspects of RNA biology to jointly address RNA-based gene-regulatory mechanisms in a broad range of model organisms. Now in its second funding period (2023 - 2027), the RTG comprises 13 groups from the Justus Liebig University (JLU) Giessen, the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research in Bad Nauheim, the Philipps University Marburg, and the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology in Marburg. Speaker of the RTG is Prof. Dr. Katja Sträßer, head of the Institute of Biochemistry of the Biology and Chemistry faculty of the JLU.
RNA is a central molecule of gene expression that is not only a target of regulation, but also a regulatory agent itself, and we are only beginning to appreciate how versatile the hitherto identified noncoding RNAs are used in cells: as scaffolds and recruiting platforms, protein and RNA sponges, allosteric regulators of protein activity, or molecular sensors. Functioning of these regulatory RNAs can in turn be regulated by mechanisms affecting base-pairing abilities and RNA folding such as RNA editing, base modification or RNA structure remodelling. Within our Research Training Group, we aim to establish how these multiple RNA-based mechanisms contribute to the plasticity of gene-regulatory networks. As regulation of gene expression underpins all cellular processes, this research has the potential to improve our understanding of many topics of medical relevance, such as bacterial biofilm formation, diet-induced changes to metabolism, virus infection, and disease.
Due to the large number of topics and model organisms studied within our group, and the resulting diversity in seminars within the RTG and by invited speakers, during retreats and symposia, the RTG's doctoral students gain a thorough background in RNA biology; day-to-day research on the candidates' thesis projects, internal lab rotations, workshops and short-term stays in laboratories abroad convey practical experience in state-of-the-art RNA technologies. Our qualification programme thus provides an internationally competitive research-oriented education for our dotoral students. Complemented by transferable skills courses, coaching of student assistants and peers ("learning-by-teaching") and inclusion in the organization of seminars and events ("learning-by-doing"), it furthermore enables them to address future scientific challenges in all kinds of environments, be it academia, industry, science management, publishing, patent agencies, regulatory authorities, legal affairs, or politics. |
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Projects & People
Functional characterization of the antagonistic interactors Sub2 and Tho1 in nuclear mRNP biogenesis |
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Prof. Dr. Katja Sträßer
Principal Investigator
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Daniel Bauer
Doctoral Candidate
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Palina Kot
Doctoral Candidate
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Nils Holger Maier
Doctoral Candidate
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Arto Alatalo
Doctoral Candidate
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Protein synthesis in eukaryotes is a complex, multi-step process: First, the respective gene is transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA). This mRNA is then processed (capped, spliced and polyadenylated) and packaged into a messenger ribonucleoprotein particle (mRNP) by nuclear mRNA-binding proteins to enable and regulate its export to the cytoplasm. Here, ribosomes use the mRNA to synthesize proteins. mRNP formation is thus a crucial step in eukaryotic gene expression. In this project, we study the function of two protein, Sub2 and Tho1, in nuclear mRNP assembly and connected processes in the model organism S. cerevisiae. Link AG Sträßer or |
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Molecular mechanism of Sub2 and Tho1 in nuclear mRNP biogenesis and RNA:DNA hybrid prevention |
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Apl. Prof. Dr. Peter Friedhoff
Principal Investigator
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Fabienne Becker
Doctoral Candidate
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In the field of eukaryotic gene expression, the export of mRNA from the nucleus is an essential step. The TREX complex (consisting of the THO complex, the RNA helicase Sub2 (human UAP56), Tho1 (human CIP29) and other proteins) plays a critical role in this process. The goal of this project is to investigate the physical and functional interaction between Sub2 and Tho1 in mRNP formation and RNA:DNA hybrid resolution. Our team will use a combined approach of mutational analysis, crosslinking, MS and in vitro RNA-protein crosslinking to determine the interaction surface and nucleic acid interaction between the two proteins from the model organisms Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, among others. Link AG Friedhoff |
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Molecular characterization of the impact of DEAD box helicase-dependent structural RNA remodelling on a regulated intron retention event |
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Dr. Cornelia Kilchert
Principal Investigator
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Jacqueline Böhme
Doctoral Candidate
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 Jan Weber
Doctoral Candidate
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Across kingdoms, DEAD box ATPases are involved in multiple aspects of RNA metabolism, including RNA maturation and decay, regulation of translation, RNA granule homeostasis, and the modulation of non-coding RNA activity. At the molecular level, they act as RNA remodelling helicases, and their various biological functions are thought to depend on their ability to rearrange structural RNA elements and remodel entire mRNPs through RNA unwinding and annealing activities. However, these remodelling events have rarely been characterised. Dead box protein 2 (Dbp2) of fission yeast is a conserved, essential member of the family that is recruited to transcribing RNA polymerase II and, among other things, regulates splicing of the second intron in its own pre-mRNA to control protein expression in an instance of autoregulatory feedback control. This suggests that RNA helicase-mediated RNA structure remodelling can act as an on/off switch that governs RNA processing decisions. In this project, we study Dbp2-dependent regulation of the retention of intron 2 as a model to understand the interconnections between RNA structure remodelling, altered RNA-protein interaction, and changes in RNA processing outcome in molecular detail. Link AG Kilchert or |
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Analysis of interactions of viral proteins with cellular RNAs - how RNA viruses alter RNA networks |
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Dr. Oliver Rossbach
Principal Investigator
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Sophie Stebel
Doctoral Candidate
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Yannic Noe
Doctoral Candidate
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The molecular interactions between viral proteins and components inside of host cell are an important and yet understudied field in RNA virology. The aim of our project is to systematically analyze the influence of RNA virus infection on the cellular mRNA life cycle across various virus families, and to identify interaction surfaces where therapeutic RNAs can interfere. We will first identify viral proteins that directly bind to RNAs and characterize their cellular RNA interaction partners using biochemical in vivo binding studies and sequencing (CLIP; UV-crosslinking and immunoprecipitation). Second, we will monitor changes in cellular mRNA processing and turnover induced by viral protein binding during infection, and third, we will develop and produce circRNA decoys that can interfere with these interactions, aimed at inhibiting crucial steps in the viral replication cycle. Research will focus on alpha- and beta-coronaviruses such as HCoV-229E and SARS-CoV-2 (positive-strand RNA viruses); and the Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV; a negative-strand Phlebovirus). Link AG Rossbach |
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Antibiotic-dependent and -independent functions of the trp attenuator-derived sRNA rnTrpL in Escherichia coli |
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Apl. Prof. Dr. Elena Evguenieva-Hackenberg
Principal Investigator
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Theresa Dietz
Doctoral Candidate
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Gene expression change after exposure of bacteria to antibiotics is the basis for their successful adaptation to the antibiotic stress. However, the early events of this adaptation are still unexplored. Gene regulation at the level of RNA and by RNA-regulators is known for very fast adaptive responses. We are analyzing the RNA-based mechanisms of the bacterial response after short-time exposure to antibiotics in the model organisms of Sinorhizobium meliloti and Escherichia coli. Link AG Evguenieva-Hackenberg |
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Scalable, reproducible and FAIR bioinformatics workflows for automated analysis of multi-dimensional RNA-based viral sequence data |
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Prof. Dr. Alexander Goesmann
Principal Investigator
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Dr. Jochen Blom
Associated Principal Investigator
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Fabienne Thelen
Doctoral Candidate
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Patrick Barth
Doctoral Candidate
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Standardized and automated data processing is a crucial prerequisite to achieve valid, comparable and reproducible results in all kinds of RNA-related experiments. To support this task, we develop tailored analysis workflows based on the needs of and in close cooperation with the partners in the RTG2355. Besides the analysis of RNA data, a further focus of our workflow development is the analysis, evaluation and visualization of multi-dimensional viral datasets. Newly developed bioinformatics workflows will be integrated into the open data management platform openBIS, furthermore a workflow repository will be created in close collaboration with the National Research Data Infrastructures (NFDIs) to ensure compliance with the standards developed in these consortia. Data management will be developed in compliance with the FAIR principles, i.e., experimental data and analysis results are findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable. Link AG Goesmann |
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Viral and cellular regulators of the mRNA translation inhibitor PKR
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Prof. Dr. Friedemann Weber
Principal Investigator
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Dr. Lyudmila Shalamova
Principal Investigator
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Kiriaki Kouti
Doctoral Candidate
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Kai Wallerang
Doctoral Candidate
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PKR is an interferon-induced protein kinase commonly activated by double-stranded RNA from pathogens such as replicating RNA viruses. Additionally, cellular RNAs can interact with PKR in an activating or inhibiting manner. Our group focusses on determinants of PKR activation from both positive- and negative-sense RNA viruses: SARS-CoV-2 and RVFV, respectively. Probing RNA-protein and RNA-RNA interactions with various techniques, we aim to identify not only RNA species of viral or cellular origin that interact with PKR, but also to reveal RNA structure prerequisites for these interactions. Link AG Weber or
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Structural and functional characterization of two putative cis-acting RNA elements in the 3'-untranslated regions of coronavirus genomes |
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Prof. Dr. John Ziebuhr
Principal Investigator
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Dr. Ramakanth Madhugiri
Associated Principal Investigator
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 Jorina Eckersberg
Doctoral Candidate
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Mohamed Darwish
Doctoral Candidate
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Replication and transcription of coronavirus genomes are mediated by the so-called replication-transcription complex (RTC) comprised of more than a dozen proteins. However, several specific cis-acting RNA structural and sequence elements located in the terminal regions of the viral genomic RNA are also thought to be involved. Some of these RNA elements were suggested to be conserved among alpha- and beta-coronaviruses, indicating important roles in viral replication. We study the biological functions of two of these conserved RNA elements and their interactions with components of the RTC and with host cell proteins using a combination of coronavirus reverse genetics, proteomics, and RNA biochemistry approaches (e.g., RNA structure probing, RNA-protein interactions using RNA-Map and reporter gene assays). Link AG Ziebuhr |
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Regulation of bacterial transcription by 6S RNAs
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Prof. Dr. Roland Hartmann
Principal Investigator
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Ahmad Altoun
Doctoral Candidate
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Luis Bellof
Doctoral Candidate
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Non-coding 6S RNAs regulate transcription by binding to the active site of specific bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) holoenzymes. RNAP can reverse this inhibition by utilizing 6S RNA as a template for the synthesis of short transcripts that remain bound to 6S RNA and rearrange its structure, leading to dissociation of 6S RNA from RNAP. Bacillus subtilis expresses two 6S RNA paralogs whose gene knockouts lead to very different and rather specific phenotypes in a wild-type strain (NCIB 3610): The ∆6S-1 RNA strain grows to lower optical density during extended stationary phase, while the ∆6S-2 RNA strain shows derepressed biofilm formation, retarded swarming activity and accelerated spore formation. The ∆6S-1&2 double deletion strain displays prolonged lag phases of growth under oxidative, high salt and alkaline stress conditions, in addition to decelerated spore formation. We aim to understand the causes of these phenotypes on the molecular and moleculargenetic level by applying biochemical, genetic and global analysis (transcriptomics, proteomics, ChIP-seq) methodologies. Link AG Hartmann |
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Epitranscriptomic analysis of the RNA stability in Escherichia coli during T4 phage infection |
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Prof. Dr. Katharina Höfer
Principal Investigator
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Helene Keuthen
Doctoral Candidate
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Since dynamic regulation of RNA stability during T4 phage infection of E. coli has been identified for both host and phage transcripts, our project aims to determine and characterize the molecular mechanisms that regulate RNA stability during the infection process. For this purpose, we will first investigate the functional role of nucleases and RNA-binding proteins on RNA stability and processing during phage infection. Second, we will apply our NAD captureSeq approach to analyze the presence and function of E. coli and T4 NAD-capped RNA during infection, and third, we will focus on the interaction of RNA-binding proteins with small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) present in E. coli and in T4 phages by performing cross-linking (iCLIP) experiments. This study will broaden our understanding of how T4 and E. coli nucleases and RNA binding proteins orchestrate RNA stability during infection and how RNA modifications modulate RNA stability to trigger an effective T4 infection. Moreover, these biological insights may provide new knowledge for applications in biotechnology and medicine. Link AG Höfer or |
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Molecular analysis of in vivo functions of lncRNAs in mammalian contractile tissues |
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Apl. Prof. Dr. Thomas Böttger
Principal Investigator
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Sara Hettrich
Doctoral Candidate
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We are specifically interested in a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) that regulates differential splicing of a messenger RNA in striated muscle; malfunction of this lncRNA appears to be connected to cardiac hypertrophy. The aims of this project are therefore to identify, first, elements of the lncRNA that are essential for the regulation of alternative splicing, and second, proteins that might interact with the lncRNA and control its function. Third, we are interested in the consequences of the alternative splicing on the molecular as well as the physiological level. Link AG Böttger |
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Role of alternative splicing and circRNA function in adipogenesis, glucose homeostasis, and obesity |
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Dr. André Schneider
Principal Investigator
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Delara Rajaei
Doctoral Candidate
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Post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression encompasses multiple processes including splicing, modification, editing, translation, transport, storage and turnover of RNAs. Our overall goal is to decipher the functional role of RNA binding proteins in regulating alternative splicing of linear mRNAs and circRNAs in adipogenesis, obesity as well as in cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, we are investigating m6A modifications in the context of disease processes of the myocardium. Combining transgenic as well as viral-mediated gain- and loss-of-function approaches in vivo with cell culture systems, we are aiming to decipher and manipulate novel disease-relevant molecular pathways. Link AG Schneider |
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Deconstructing context-dependent regulatory miRNA networks in T cell development |
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Prof. Dr. Andreas Krueger
Principal Investigator
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Hanna Steede
Doctoral Candidate
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Human health depends on the continuous generation of fresh immune cells, and a thorough understanding of the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms is of great importance for improving treatment of many diseases. In this context, our laboratory investigates how post-transcriptional gene regulation and, more specifically, certain microRNAs (miRNAs) contribute to the formation of a functional yet non-autoreactive pool of peripheral T cells. miRNAs are key mediators of post-transcriptional gene regulation, serving as guides inducing degradation or translational inhibition of target mRNAs, and we aim to unravel how structural features of the mRNA targets, target site occupancy by RNA-binding proteins as well as competition and/or cooperativity between miRNAs contribute to miRNA function. Link AG Krueger or |
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Algorithmic design of RNA secondary structure prediction tools |
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Prof. Dr. Stefan Janssen
Principal Investigator
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RNA is not a linear molecule, but folds onto itself by forming base pairs between nucleotides of the same strand, often establishing long-range interactions within the respective molecule. This so-called secondary structure significantly contributes to gene regulation, e.g., by changing accessibility of ribosome binding sites, other protein or RNA binding sites. We will make use of the experimentally derived structure probing data generated by various RTG groups to improve RNA secondary structure prediction tools, generating algorithms that suggest several possible secondary structures instead of only a single structural model. Link AG Janssen |
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Affiliated Postdocs |
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Dr. Nadine Wäber
(AG Mazurek)
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Dr. Maximilian Staps
RTG Start-up Funding
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Organization & Contact
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Speaker
Prof. Dr. Katja Sträßer Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen
Institut für Biochemie
Phone: +49-641-99-35400
Email: Katja.Straesser
@straesserlab.bsky.social
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Vice-Speaker
Dr. Cornelia Kilchert Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen
Institut für Biochemie
Phone: +49-641-99-35405
Email: Cornelia.Kilchert
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CoordinatorDr. Vera Bettenworth Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen
Institut für Biochemie
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, Room B 040 Phone: +49-641-99-35405
Email: Vera.Bettenworth
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Steering CommitteeThe steering committee is responsible for all scientific, financial, and organisational issues. It consists of the speaker, the vice-speaker, two further PIs and two doctoral student representatives: |
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responsible for the qualification programme
Apl. Prof. Dr. Elena Evguenieva-Hackenberg Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen
Institut für Mikrobiologie
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responsible for career advancement measures
Prof. Dr. Katharina Höfer Max-Planck-Institut für terrestrische Mikrobiologie Marburg
Bacterial Epitranscriptomics
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Ph.D. representativeYannic Noe (AG Rossbach) |
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Ph.D. representativeHelene Keuthen (AG Höfer) Max-Planck-Institut für terrestrische Mikrobiologie Marburg
Bacterial Epitranscriptomics
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Open Positions
Student Assistant Positions Available
The Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research in Bad Nauheim is currently seeking student assistants to support various research groups within the Braun Department.
The positions involve simple yet responsible laboratory tasks, including:
- DNA extraction from tissue biopsies
- Genotyping using PCR
- Preparation of buffer solutions
We are looking for highly motivated master students who are eager to learn and are available to work approximately 30 hours per month.
Our department has many years of positive experience working with student assistants. In addition to gaining insight into basic biomedical research, we offer:
- A fair hourly wage
- Flexible working hours
- A friendly and supportive working environment
Some of our student assistants take the opportunity to write their master’s, or even doctoral theses in our department.
If you are interested, we look forward to receiving your short letter of motivation and a CV in English to Delara.Rajaei@mpi-bn.mpg.de with the Cc. Andre.Schneider@mpi-bn.mpg.de
Best regards,
Delara Rajaei
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, 24 February 2026, at 16:00
Dr. Rebecca Hinrichs, Marburg University
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Katharina Höfer, Marburg University
Tuesday, 3 March 2026, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Leo Kurian, Goethe University Frankfurt
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Palina Kot, Justus Liebig University Giessen
Tuesday, 17 March, 2026, 13:30 - 17:00
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, Gießen
Speakers: Palina Kot (AG Sträßer), Sara Hettrich (AG Böttger), Mohamed Darwish (AG Ziebuhr), Delara Rajaei (AG Schneider)
Wednesday, 15 April 2026, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Laura Zelarayán-Behrend, University Medical Center Göttingen
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, Gießen
Host: Katja Sträßer, Justus Liebig University Giessen
Tuesday, 28 April 2026, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Linda Brunotte, Justus Liebig University Giessen
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Oliver Rossbach, Justus Liebig University Giessen
Thursday, 7 May 2026, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Markus Wahl, Freie Universität Berlin
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Katja Sträßer, Justus Liebig University Giessen
Monday, 18 May 2026
Location: Schloss Rauischholzhausen, Ebsdorfergrund
Thursday, 7 May 2026, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Nina Morgner, Goethe University Frankfurt
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Katja Sträßer, Justus Liebig University Giessen
Thursday, 25 June, 2026, 13:30 - 17:00
Location: tba
Speakers: tba
Tuesday, 1 September, 2026, 13:30 - 17:00
Location: tba
Speakers: tba
Confirmed speakers: Markus Bohnsack (University of Göttingen), Anita Corbett (Emory University), Fatima Gebauer (CRG Barcelona), Alexandra Lusser (University of Innsbruck), Roy Parker (University of Colorado), Franka Voigt (University of Zürich), Jörg Vogel (University of Würzburg), Karsten Weis (ETH Zürich)
Past Events
Wednesday, 4 February & Thursday, 5 February, 2026
Think before you write, and get the most out of AI
The focus is on peer-peer communication via scientific manuscripts, but the workshop is also helpful for writing a thesis. It covers cognitive psychology, analysis of writing structure, "simple scientific English", how language tools (e.g. ChatGPT) can improve your writing, but also their caveats. Furthermore the business of starting to write a research paper, how to determine whether you have a "good story", the workings of editorial and peer review and how to improve your chances. Throughout the workshop there are interactive exercises. We work, at intervals, on the titles/abstracts that participants have prepared and submitted before the workshop, and all participants receive a commented/edited copy of their work at the end.
Timeline: day 1 & day 2: 9:00 - 16:00 with 1 hour lunch break
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, Gießen
Coach: Andrew Moore
Monday, 26 January, 2026, 13:30 - 17:00
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Speakers: Theresa Dietz (AG Evguenieva-Hackenberg), Hanna Steede (AG Krueger), Kai Wallerang (AG Weber)
Wednesday, 10 December & Thursday, 11 December 2025
GMP II - advanced training course
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, Gießen
Trainer: Heinrich Prinz, PDM Consulting & Christoph Peter, Peter Auditing
Wednesday, 3 December 2025, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Ulrike Protzer, Technical University of Munich & Helmholtz Munich
"Immune therapy of chronic hepatitis B - from bench to bedside"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, Gießen
Host: Katja Sträßer, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Wednesday, 19 November & Thursday, 20 November 2025
Statistics & R - hands-on
This 2-day course will provide an introduction to R and how to use it to make sense of your data - i.e., for plotting data, for fitting models and for determining and interpreting the relevant coefficients.
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, Gießen
Trainer: Jochen Wilhelm & Meike Fuenderich, JLU Giessen
Tuesday, 18 November 2025
Prof. Dr. Miha Modic, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
“Decoding the Features and Composition of RNA-Scaffolded Condensates”
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, Gießen
Host: Cornelia Kilchert, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Tuesday, 4 November 2025, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Niels Gehring, Universität Köln
“I'll be back... Insights into RNA Biology Using Inducible Degron Tags”
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, Gießen
Host: Katja Sträßer, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Thursday, 23 October 2025, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Oliver Mühlemann, Universität Bern
“Lost in translation: Trying to understand translation-dependent mRNA decay pathways”
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, Gießen
Host: Katja Sträßer, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Thursday, 25 September, 2025, 13:30 - 17:00
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, Gießen
Speakers: Fabienne Thelen (AG Goesmann), Jorina Eckersberg (AG Ziebuhr), Jan Weber (AG Kilchert), Luis Bellof (AG Hartmann)
Thursday, 3 July 2025, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Annegret Wilde, Universität Freiburg
“Subcellular RNA localization and its implication on translation of membrane proteins in bacteria”
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Elena Evguenieva-Hackenberg, Institute for Microbiology and Molecular Biology, FB08, JLU
Wednesday, 25 June - Friday, 27 June 2024
Location: Martin-Niemöller-Haus, Schmitten, Taunus
Tuesday, 17 June 2025, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Vigo Heissmeyer, LMU & Helmholtz Munich
"Control of T cell biology and prevention of autoimmunity by RNA-binding proteins"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Andreas Krueger, Institute of Molecular Immunology, FB08, JLU
Wednesday, 11 June 2025, at 16:00
Dr. Eva Kowalinski, EMBL Grenoble
"Structural studies of modified RNAs and their interactors"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Palina Kot, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Thursday, 22 May 2025, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Maik Luu, Uniklinikum Würzburg
"Of CARs and Commensals - Synergizing Mucosal Immunology and Cell Engineering"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Katja Sträßer, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Tuesday, 6 May 2025, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Monika Wolkers, Amsterdam University Medical Center
"How RNA binding proteins regulate T cell function in health and disease"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Andreas Krueger, Institute of Molecular Immunology, FB08, JLU
Tuesday, 29 April & Wednesday, 30 April 2025
GMP and pharmaceutical products
Deviations from the predefined conditions during manufacturing and processing of pharmaceutical or biological medicinal products could have serious impact on the health status of the user/patient. Therefore, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) is laying down regulations for the manufacturing, quality control and clinical processing in pharmaceutical industry.
You are a Ph.D. student and want to start in a pharmaceutical company after your degree? This seminar conveys the basics of the GMP quality assurance system in Germany, Europe and world-wide and the responsibilities of the different key personnel inside pharmaceutical companies.
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, Gießen
Trainer: Heinrich Prinz, PDM Consulting & Christoph Prinz, BioNTech SE
Thursday, 24 April 2025, at 16:00
Dr. Matti Turtola, University of Turku
"Regulation and dynamics of nuclear mRNA poly(A) tails"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Ebru Aydin & Katja Sträßer, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Thursday, 3 April 2025, 13:30 - 17:00
Speakers: Sara Hettrich (AG Böttger), Yannic Noe (AG Rossbach), Kiriaki Kouti (AG Weber) & Daniel Bauer (AG Sträßer)
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, Gießen
Wednesday, 5 March 2025
Good Scientific Practice - online workshop for PIs
Trainer: Daniel Mertens, Schiller & Mertens
Tuesday, 25 February 2025, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Stefan Hüttelmaier, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg
"Targeting RNA-binding proteins in cancer therapy"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Katja Sträßer, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Thursday & Friday, 20 & 21 February 2025
Good Scientific Practice - on-site workshop for PhD candidates
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, Gießen
Trainer: Daniel Mertens, Schiller & Mertens
Thursday, 30 January 2025, at 16:00
Dr. Benedict Tan, University of Marburg
"Mechanisms of mitochondrial transcription regulation"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Katja Sträßer, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 13:00 - 18:00
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, Gießen
Speakers: Ahmad Altoun, Kai Wallerang, Theresa Dietz, Hanna Steede
Thursday, 12 December 2024, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Gunter Meister, Regensburg University
"Insights into post-transcriptional gene silencing pathways and RNA degradation processes"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Katja Sträßer, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Tuesday, 26 November 2024, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Chase Beisel, Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, Würzburg
"CRISPR at the fringe"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, Gießen
Host: Katharina Höfer, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg
Thursday, 14 November 2024, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Petra Dersch, Universität Münster
“Mutual reprogramming of Yersinia and host responses during infection”
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, Gießen
Host: Elena Evguenieva-Hackenberg, Institute for Microbiology and Molecular Biology, FB08, JLU
Monday, 4 November & Tuesday, 5 November 2024
Getting money for your research and yourself: A funding workshop
Research funding is not a charitable activity where "worthy causes" appear quite obvious; rather it's a brutally pragmatic process in which a funder wants to know with the highest possible likelihood that the granted money will produce something of high impact. It is very far from obvious, at face value, how much "return" a funder will gain on the "investment". Yes, these are the (business) terms in which we should be thinking! Another is "competition". That seems obvious: of course you are in competition when applying for funding, but with whom exactly, or -- more accurately -- with what, exactly, are you in competition in the eyes of the funder? Research never speaks for itself: it needs to be "animated", so to speak, and placed in context. So, when the chips are down, if you don't do a good job of speaking (writing) for your research in a grant application, you simply won't get the money: it's as mathematical as that!
In this course, we'll analyze and practice the particular technical skills and preparation that you need to make a grant application that stands the highest possible chance of success; we'll look into how you can optimize your "position" with regard to certain crucial dimensions of research that are explicitly, or implicitly, in most funders' criteria. Understanding grant calls is a crucial skill, and we'll also take a look at how to find appropriate granting programmes for your particular scientific area. Finally we'll rehearse a grant application scenario via a game in which participants are tested on their written and verbal skills of persuasion!
Timeline: day 1 & day 2: 10:00 - 16:00 with 1 hour lunch break
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, Gießen
Coach: Andrew Moore
Thursday, 31 October 2024, at 16:00
Dr. Andreas Mayer, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin
"Mechanisms of gene expression control by BET bromodomain proteins and beyond"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, Gießen
Host: Katja Sträßer, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Monday, 28 October 2024, at 16:00
Dr. Sophie Korn, Columbia University, New York
"Dynamic protein-RNA interactions at the virus-host interface"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, Gießen
Host: Katja Sträßer, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Thursday, 10 October 2024, 13:40 - 17:00
Speakers: Sophie Stebel, Jorina Eckersberg, Jan Weber & Nils Maier
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, Gießen
Thursday, 19 September 2024, at 16:00
Dr. Sina Wittmann, Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz
"Surface condensation of the transcription factor Klf4 - a new view on gene activation"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Katja Sträßer, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Monday, 15 July - Wednesday, 17 July 2024
Location: Martin-Niemöller-Haus, Schmitten, Taunus
Thursday, 6 June 2024, at 16:00
Dr. Markus Höpfler, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge
"Mechanism of selective mRNA degradation at the ribosome"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, Gießen
Host: Katja Sträßer, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Monday, 6 May 2024, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Achim Aigner, Leipzig University
"Bringing RNA towards pharmacological translation: polymeric nanoparticles for therapeutic RNA delivery"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Oliver Rossbach, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Thursday, 18 April 2024, 13:00 - 18:00
Speakers: Jessica Fedrau, Yannic Noe, Fabienne Becker, Daniel Bauer, Palina Kot & Jennifer Kothe
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, Gießen
Wednesday, 10 April - Friday, 12 April 2024
Dynamics in chromatin organization and RNA regulation: adaptation, infection - and beyond
The symposium is a joint venture with the EU-funded Marie Curie Innovative Training Network "Cell2Cell - role of cellular heterogeneity in chromatin structures in pathogen infections" and brings together international speakers and local experts in chromatin organization, RNA regulation, and pathogen biology. Keynote speakers are former FMI Basel Director Susan Gasser (Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Lausanne), Schraga Schwartz (Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot), and Bas van Steensel (Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam). A welcome reception will take place on day 1, followed by a poster session on day 2, offering ample opportunity for scientific interactions. For a detailed programme and to register, please check the symposium website. Registration will be open till Friday, 15 March.
Ludwigstr. 23, 35390 Giessen
Tuesday, 9 April, 10:00 - 16:00
What Comes Next
This workshop aims at helping you identify and begin to prepare for your next career step. Moreover, you will further develop your capacity to take responsibility and acquire basic tools to support you in day-to-day supervision.
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, Gießen
Trainers: Conor John Fitzsimons, Leadership Sculptor
Monday, 8 April, 10:00 - 17:30
Introduction to Project Management
This workshop will introduce you to basic project management tools, help you identify and overcome obstacles to your scientific maturation, and explore and develop some new research ideas.
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, Gießen
Trainer: Conor John Fitzsimons, Leadership Sculptor
Monday, 18 March & Tuesday, 19 March 2024, both 9:00 - 16:00
Introduction to Galaxy analyses & Reference-based RNA-Seq data analysis
Galaxy is a worldwide open source project with the European Galaxy Server being the biggest instance in Europe with more than 85,000 users. The Freiburg Galaxy Team is hosting this server in Freiburg. Through Galaxy as a gateway, we are offering free access to a huge computational cloud infrastructure, databases and 3,200 bioinformatics tools which can be used by a graphical user interface instead of command-line. There is no need for programming or informatics skills - you just need a web browser (e.g. chrome or firefox). We will have demonstrations and work together on detailed E-learning step-by-step-instructions of the Galaxy Training Material.
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 58, JLU
Trainers: Dr. Anika Erxleben, Universität Freiburg, European Galaxy Team; Jochen Blom, Sven Griep & Oliver Rupp, Justus Liebig University Giessen, de.NBI BIGI; Fabienne Thelen, Justus Liebig University Giessen, RTG 2355
Thursday, 14 March 2024, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Mark Helm, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
"RNA modification damage"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, Gießen
Host: Maximilian Staps, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim
Monday, 4 March 2024, at 16:15
Prof. Dr. Tobias Jakobi, University of Arizona, Phoenix
"Computational detection and analysis of circular RNAs in the heart"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Jochen Blom, Bioinformatics & Systems Biology Group, FB08, JLU
Tuesday, 27 February 2024, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Danny Nedialkova, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried & Technical University of Munich
"Translational control in development and differentiation"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Cornelia Kilchert, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Tuesday, 20 February 2024, at 15:00
Prof. Dr. Federica Accornero, Brown University, Rhode Island
"RNA methylation in the regulation of muscle homeostasis"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Maximilian Staps, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim
Wednesday, 14 February & Thursday, 15 February 2024
Presenting for success - Designing and delivering scientific talks
The workshop starts with a brief recap of some principles that all presenters need to bear in mind for addressing any audience. Drawing on these, we will then dig into the practical consequences for designing a presentation and structuring its information content for maximum effect. Even more practically (!) we will consider things such as where to stand, how to speak and move, and the physical relationship between presenter and audience. Interspersed throughout the workshop we will have the pleasure of being the audience for presentations made by you, the participants. Please, therefore, make a brief presentation of your work in powerpoint or similar, and be prepared to present it at the workshop without exceeding 5 minutes.
Timeline: day 1 & day 2: 10:00 - 16:00 with 1 hour lunch break
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, Gießen
Coach: Andrew Moore
Thursday, 1 February 2024, at 16:00
Dr. Sonja Lorenz, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen
“Structural mechanism of the ubiquitin ligase HACE1”
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Katja Sträßer, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Tuesday, 23 January 2024, 14:15 - 18:00
Host: Katja Sträßer, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Chair: Fabienne Becker, JLU
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, Gießen
Tuesday, 12 December 2023, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Markus Landthaler, Max Delbrück Center Berlin
"Posttranscriptional regulation in cellular space and time"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Katja Sträßer, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Monday, 4 December & Tuesday, 5 December 2023
Scientific presentations – Concise content, storytelling & slide decks
Within this 1,5 day-workshop, participants will learn to deliver high quality scientific talks with ease. Key elements are (1) to learn how to simplify complex content without losing precision, (2) to incorporate storytelling elements to communicate complex ideas effectively and (3) to create visually appealing slide decks that enhance comprehension. To this end, the training combines short, digestible learning snippets with interactive practice sessions, ensuring that participants have ample opportunity to apply their newly acquired knowledge in a supportive environment providing valuable feedback.
Pizza & personalized tips on day 1 for those who are willing to stay late.
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, Gießen
Coach: Simon Klug
The follow-up workshop Scientific presentations – Pitching, key messages & stage presence – is scheduled for the first week of February 2024.
Thursday, 30 November 2023, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Beatrix Süß, Technische Universität Darmstadt
"Next-level riboswitch development - Implementation of Capture-SELEX allows fast and easy identification of synthetic riboswitches"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, Gießen
Host: Katja Sträßer, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Tuesday, 14 November 2023, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Maria Hondele, Biozentrum Basel
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Cornelia Kilchert, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Thursday, 9 November & Friday, 10 November 2023
Think before you write - Properly representing your research in the online age and understanding publishing
The workshop starts with insights into the cognitive psychology of readers, from which we will draw very practical consequences for writing and structuring our manuscripts. There will be short exercises and longer assignments for participants throughout the workshop, and all participants should submit a title and abstract of their work before the course: these will be worked on during the workshop with input from the workshop coach.
Timeline: day 1 & day 2: 10:00 - 16:00 with 1 hour lunch break
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, Gießen
Coach: Andrew Moore
Thursday, 2 November 2023, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Utz Fischer, Universität Würzburg
"Making mRNA in the wrong compartment: how poxviruses express their genes in the cytoplasm of a host"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Katja Sträßer, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Tuesday, 24 October 2023, 16:00 - 18:00
Unconscious bias II - online follow-up
Coach: Anna Schwark & Maria Prahl, Working Between Cultures
Thursday, 19 October 2023, at 16:00
Dr. Björn Rotter, GenXPro, Frankfurt
"RNA-based information for therapeutic decision support for cancer"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, Gießen
Host: Jochen Blom, Bioinformatics & Systems Biology group, JLU
Tuesday, 10 October 2023, 13:00 - 18:00
Unconscious bias I
Navigating the academic journey with clarity & empathy: unconscious bias awareness for scientists
In this mandatory half-day workshop, we will uncover unconscious biases in our environment and in ourselves, understand the origins of these biases and recognize how they affect our day-to-day lives on all levels. We will experience a change of perspective and learn how to navigate stereotypes to shape an (academic) environment based on mutual respect and empathy in which everybody's ideas can be heard.
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, Gießen
An online follow-up workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, 24 October, 16:00 - 18:00.
Coach: Anna Schwark, Working Between Culture
Wednesday, 4 October - Saturday, 7 October 2023
12th Meeting of the GBM Study Section "RNA Biochemistry" & Workshop "Advanced RNA Sequencing"
Tagungs- und Gästehaus CJD Castell, Graurheindorfer Str. 149, Bonn
Keynote speakers: Danny Nedialkova, MPI of Biochemistry Martinsried & TU Munich & Maria Hondele, Biozentrum, University of Basel
Click for Programme & further information
Thursday, 28 September 2023, 12:30 - 18:00
RMU-RNA Salon "Genomics approaches in RNA biology" - 11. Minisymposium "RNA virus research"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Giessen
Keynote speakers: Susanne Herold, UKGM Gissen & John Ziebuhr, JLU Giessen
Click for Flyer & Registration
Wednesday, 20 September & Thursday, 21 September 2023
16th GGL Annual Conference
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 14, Giessen
GGL doctoral researchers of all ten research sections will contribute to the programme and present their results. Each session will be opened by a guest speaker who is an expert in the specific field. Prizes will be awarded in the categories best talk and best photograph.
Click for Conference Website & Programme
Thursday, 20 July 2023, at 16:00
Dr. Gabrijela Dumbovic, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt
"RNA localization controls RNA function"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Theresa Gerhardt, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim
Wednesday, 5 July - Friday, 7 July 2023
Joint retreat with RTG 2344
Location: Bad Dürkheim, Rheinland-Pfalz
Wednesday, 28 June - Friday, 30 June 2023
Programming with R
Oliver Rupp, Sven Griep, Patrick Barth, Fabienne Thelen, Karina Brinkrolf, Bioinformatics & Systems Biology group, JLU
This workshop will provide a general introduction to programming with R, data visualization with ggplot2 and statistical tests, using RNA-seq data as an example. Previous knowledge in R is not required.
Tuesday, 20 June 2023, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Michaela Müller-McNicoll, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt
"The role of subcellular architecture in the regulation of gene expression during stress"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, Gießen
Host: Ebru Aydin, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Thursday, 15 June 2023, 13:00 - 18:00
Speakers: Fabienne Becker, Alexander Goesmann, Fabian Dross, Cornelia Kilchert, Oliver Rossbach & Kiriaki Kouti
Chairs: Maximilian Staps, Yannic Noe & Ebru Aydin
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Monday, 5 June 2023, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Julia Weigand, Philipps-Universität Marburg
"mRNA structure shapes human and viral gene regulation"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Oliver Rossbach, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Wednesday, 31 May 2023
Introduction to LaTex
Dr. Jochen Blom, Bioinformatics & Systems Biology group, JLU
Introduction to the software including hands-on training.
Tuesday, 16 May 2023, at 16:00
Dr. Julian König, Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz
"RNA stability controlled by m6A methylation mediates X-to-autosome dosage compensation in mammals"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, Gießen
Host: Maximilian Staps, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim
Tuesday, 2 May 2023, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Harald Schwalbe, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt
"Understanding the mechanism of translational and transcriptional riboswitches"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, Gießen
Host: Katja Sträßer, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Thursday, 27 April 2023, at 13:00
Speakers: Ebru Aydin, Ahmad Altoun, Katja Sträßer, Sophie Stebel, Maximilian Staps & Lyudmila Shalamova
Chair: Jennifer Kothe, Theresa Gerhardt & Daniel Bauer
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Monday, 27 March 2023, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Steven West, University of Exeter
"A good beginning makes for a great ending: mechanisms of promoter-proximal transcriptional termination"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Theresa Gerhardt, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim
Thursday, 16 March 2023, at 16:00
Dr. Marco Preußner, Freie Universität Berlin
"Mechanisms and functional consequences of regulated 3' splice site selection after step 1 of splicing"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Oliver Rossbach, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Tuesday, 7 March 2023, at 16:00
Speakers: Theresa Gerhardt, Katharina Höfer & Peter Friedhoff
Chair: Kai Wallerang
Online (BigBlueButton)
Thursday, 2 March 2023, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Anna-Lena Steckelberg, Columbia University, New York
"Viral RNA structures as master manipulators of cellular machinery"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Katja Sträßer, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Thursday, 23 February 2023, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Argyris Papantonis, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
"RNA and speckles shaping the senescent nucleus"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Ebru Aydin, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
Thursday, 2 February 2023, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Stefan Janssen, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen
"RNA secondary structure prediction"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Host: Katja Sträßer, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
RTG2355/2 kick-off meeting
Tuesday, 24 January 2023, at 14:15
Voting of the new Steering Committee
Speakers: Patrick Barth, Elene Evguenieva-Hackenberg, Yannic Noe, Thomas Böttger
Chairs: Jacqueline Böhme & Ahmad Altoun
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 19, Gießen
Thursday, 19 January 2023, at 16:00
Prof. Dr. Petra Wendler, Universität Potsdam
"Cryo-EM resolution revolution: now seeing electrons"
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 14, Gießen
Host: Katja Sträßer, Institute of Biochemistry, FB08, JLU
News & Impressions
Follow us on Bluesky: @rtg2355.bsky.social
“Making Women in Science Visible” - science-inspired art by Palina Kot
Another wonderful retreat to Schmitten im Taunus
Katharina Höfer appointed EMBO Young Investigator
LOEWE professorship at University of Marburg for Katharina Höfer
Retreat 2024 to Schmitten im Taunus - we most certainely come back!
Joint symposium with the ITN Cell2Cell - a great success
Otto Meyerhofer Prize for Katharina Höfer
JLU immunologist Andreas Krueger joins with a project on miRNAs in T cell development
"Making mRNA in the wrong compartment" - Guest Lecture by Utz Fischer
Joint retreat with RTG 2344 in Bad Dürkheim, 2023
JLU bioinformatician Stefan Janssen included in the RTG
Retreat to the Silbersee, 2022
Alumni
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Dr. Fabian Dross
Fabian defended his thesis "tRNA-Mimikry in Mengoviren: virale RNA-Elemente, welche die Glycyl-tRNA-Synthetase binden" on 12 December 2025 - congratulations, Fabian! |
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Dr. M. Amri C. Schlüter
Amri defended her thesis "Untersuchung der globalen regulatorischen Kontrolle der 6S RNAs in dem nicht domestizierten B. subtilis Wildtyp-Stamm NCIB 3610" on 21 November 2025 - congratulations, Amri! |
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Dr. Maximilian Staps
Max defended his thesis "Investigating the function of WTAP and METTL3 in the cardiovascular system" on 9 July 2025 - congratulations, Max! |
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Dr. Ebru Aydin
Ebru defended her thesis "DEAD-box ATPase Dbp2 participates in a specific mRNP assembly checkpoint during RNA biogenesis in S. pombe" on 6 March 2025 - congratulations, Ebru! |
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Dr. Jennifer Kothe
Jenni defended her thesis "Early response to subinhibitory antibiotic exposure in Sinorhizobium meliloti" on 19 February 2025 - congratulations, Jenni! |
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Dr. Theresa Hofmann (née Gerhardt)
Theresa defended her thesis "Molecular analysis of in vivo functions of lncRNA in contractile tissues" on 24 May 2024 - congratulations, Theresa! |
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Dr. Laura Henke-Schulz
Laura defended her thesis on 17 January 2024 - congratulations, Laura! |
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Dr. Janek Börner
Janek defended his thesis "Posttranscriptional gene expression regulation in Rhodobacter sphaeroides" on 15 December 2023 - congratulations, Janek! |
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Dr. Philip Fleischhauer
Philip defended his thesis "The SMARCAD1-orthologue Fft2 is a novel RNA binder |
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Dr. Robina Scheuer
Robina defended her thesis "Multiple Funktionen des SAM-II Riboswitches in Sinorhizobium meliloti" on 23 June 2023 - congratulations, Robina! |
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Dr. Jana Christin Wiegard
Jana defended her thesis "Funktion und Metabolismus der regulatorischen, nicht-kodierenden 6S RNAs aus Bacillus subtilis" on 22 June 2023 - congratulations, Jana! |
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Dr. Shan Lin
Shan defended her thesis on 9 May 2023 - congratulations, Shan! |
Publications
2026
Becker F, Miosga MB, Mannan M, Bettenworth V, Steinchen W, Sträßer K, Friedhoff P. Tho1 and MOS11 promote nucleic acid double-strand unwinding by facilitating DEAD-box helicase oligomerization. Nucleic Acids Res. 54(2):gkaf1512, 14 Jan 2026, doi: 10.1093/nar/gkaf1512
Droß F, Gödert T, Fuchshuber SA, Nachev DV, Andreev DE, Fricke M, Ritsch M, Gerresheim GK, Repp S, Noe Y, Rossbach O, Marz M, Barth P, Goesmann A, Linne U, Weber A, Kracht M, Shatsky IN, Niepmann M. Binding of Glycyl-tRNA synthetase to Mengovirus RNA stimulates translation. Nucleic Acids Res. 54(1):gkaf1451, 5 Jan 2026, doi: 10.1093/nar/gkaf1451
2025
Barth P, Förster F, Jaenicke S, Thelen F, Rossbach O, Weber F, Shalamova L, Goesmann A. PARANOiD: Pipeline for Automated read ANalysis of iCLIP Data. Bioinformatics, 23 Dec 2025, doi: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btaf673
Keuthen H, Pozhydaieva N, Höfer K. Precise Phage Mutagenesis with NgTET-Assisted CRISPR-Cas Systems. J Vis Exp. (224), 14 Oct 2025, doi: 10.3791/69022
Lin S, Dieterich C, Britto-Borges T, Günther S, Kreher S, Eibach Y, Kuenne C, Schneider A, Braun T. Rbpms2 prevents major cardiac defects in cardiomyocyte-specific Rbpms-deficient mice. Dev. Cell, Jul 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2025.06.013
Kothe JAF, Sauerwein T, Dietz T, Scheuer R, Elhossary M, Barth-Weber S, Wähling J, Förstner KU, Evguenieva-Hackenberg E. Early posttranscriptional response to tetracycline exposure in a gram-negative soil bacterium reveals unexpected attenuation mechanism of a DUF1127 gene. RNA Biol. 22(1):1-16, doi: 10.1080/15476286.2025.2521887
Thelen F, Hochmuth J, Griep J, Schwab B, Goesmann A, Förster F. Crypt4GH-JS: securely storing sensitive data online with client-side encryption. Bioinformatics, 6 January 2025, doi: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btae763
Kuś K, Carrique L, Kecman T, Fournier M, Hassanein SS, Aydin E, Kilchert C, Grimes JM, Vasiljeva L. DSIF factor Spt5 coordinates transcription, maturation and exoribonucleolysis of RNA polymerase II transcripts. Nat Commun. 16(1):10, 2 Jan 2025, doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-55063-7
2024
Shalamova L, Barth P, Picking MJ, Kouti K, Ott B, Humpert K, Janssen S, Loreno G, Brun A, Goesmann A, Hain T, Hartmann R, Rossbach O, Weber F. Nucleocapsids of the Rift Valley fever virus ambisense S segment contain an exposed RNA element in the center that overlaps with the intergenic region. Nat. Commun., 9 August 2024, doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-52058-2
Aydin E, Schreiner S, Böhme J, Keil B, Weber J, DEAD-box ATPase Dbp2 is the key enzyme in an mRNP assembly checkpoint at the 3'-end of genes and involved in the recycling of cleavage factors. Nat. Commun., 9 August 2024, doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-51035-z.
23 May 2024,
Function of the RNA-targeting class 2 type VI CRISPR Cas system of Rhodobacter capsulatus. Front. Microbiol., 29 April 2024, doi:
Weiss M, Hettrich S, Hofmann T, Hachim S, Günther S, Braun T*, Boettger T*. Mitolnc controls cardiac BCAA metabolism and heart hypertrophy by allosteric activation of BCKDH. 3 April 2024, doi: 10.1093/nar/gkae226
The enigmatic epitranscriptome of bacteriophages: putative RNA modifications in viral infections. Curr. Opin. Microbiol., 12 Jan 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102417
Scheuer R, Kothe J, Wähling J, Evguenieva-Hackenberg E. Analysis of sRNAs and Their mRNA Targets in Sinorhizobium meliloti: Focus on Half-Life Determination. In: Arluison, V., Valverde, C. (eds) Bacterial Regulatory RNA. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2741. Humana, New York, NY. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3565-0_13
2023
Schoen A, Hölzer M, Müller MA, Wallerang KB, Drosten C, Marz M, Lamp B, Weber F. Functional comparisons of the virus sensor RIG-I from humans, the microbat Myotis daubentonii, and the megabat Rousettus aegyptiacus, and their response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. J Virol, 31 Oct 2023, doi: 10.1128/jvi.00205-23
Processing and decay of 6S-1 and 6S-2 RNAs in Bacillus subtilis. RNA, Oct 2023, doi: 10.1261/rna.079666.123
Hadjeras L, Heiniger B, Maaß S, Scheuer R, Gelhausen R, Azarderakhsh S, Barth-Weber S, Backofen R, Becher D, Ahrens C, Sharma C, Evguenieva-Hackenberg E. Unraveling the small proteome of the plant symbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti by ribosome profiling and proteogenomics. microLife, 10 Mar 2023, doi:10.1093/femsml/uqad012
Schott S, Scheuer R, Ermoli F, Glatter T, Evguenieva-Hackenberg E., Andreas Diepold. A ParDE toxin–antitoxin system is responsible for the maintenance of the Yersinia virulence plasmid but not for type III secretion-associated growth inhibition. Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol., 09 May 2023, doi:10.3389/fcimb.2023.1166077
Wiegard JC, Damm K, Lechner M, Thölken C, Ngo S, Putzer H, Hartmann RK. Processing and decay of 6S-1 and 6S-2 RNAs in Bacillus subtilis. RNA, 27 Jun 2023, doi: 10.1261/rna.079666.123
First Funding Period 2018-2022
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| First Funding Period 2018-2022 | Seite | ||
| Research & qualification programme | Seite | ||
| Projects / Principal Investigators | Seite | ||
| PhD Students / Projects | Seite | ||
| Highlights from PhD Students | Seite | ||
| Publications of PhD Students | Seite | ||
| Student Seminar Series | Seite | ||
| PI Seminar Talks | Seite | ||
| Guest Lecture Series | Seite | ||
| Workshops | Seite | ||
| International Meeting (2022) | Seite | ||
| Retreat (2021) | Seite | ||
| Symposium (2019) | Seite | ||
| Retreat (2018) | Seite | ||
| Past Events | Ordner |
Fotos, Bilder, PDFs
Retreat November 2022, Ferienpark Silbersee - Photo: Ferienpark Silbersee
Elena Evguenieva-Hackenberg - Photo: Katrina Friese
