News

November 16, 2011

Beckmann receives ERC Advanced Investigator Grant

Roland Beckmann received an Advanced Investigator Grant from the European Research Council. These lucrative and highly competitive grants are awarded to European researchers based on their outstanding scientific achievem...

Roland Beckmann received an Advanced Investigator Grant from the European Research Council. These lucrative and highly competitive grants are awarded to European researchers based on their outstanding scientific achievements and designed to support highly innovative research. Professor Beckmann’s ERC project is aimed at improving the resolution of cryo-EM in order to investigate how membrane proteins are inserted into the membrane during translation.

Roland Beckmann received an Advanced Investigator Grant from the European Research Council. These lucrative and highly competitive grants are awarded to European researchers based on their outstanding scientific achievem...

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October 13, 2011

Wolf among the most highly cited reproduction biologists

Eckhard Wolf is the second-most highly cited reproduction biologist in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, according to an analysis by the monthly ‘Laborjournal’ (www.laborjournal.de).

September 26, 2011

How genes are transcribed in mitochondria

In a recent study, Patrick Cramer’s group, in collaboration with Dmitry Temiakov at UMDNJ, has described the first three-dimensional structure of the human mitochondrial RNA-polymerase. Interestingly, the structure sh...

In a recent study, Patrick Cramer’s group, in collaboration with Dmitry Temiakov at UMDNJ, has described the first three-dimensional structure of the human mitochondrial RNA-polymerase. Interestingly, the structure shows similarity to RNA polymerases of bacteriophages, concordant with the now widely accepted idea that mitochondria are derived from endosymbiotic bacteria. Nature online September 25, 2011 doi:10.1038

In a recent study, Patrick Cramer’s group, in collaboration with Dmitry Temiakov at UMDNJ, has described the first three-dimensional structure of the human mitochondrial RNA-polymerase. Interestingly, the structure sh...

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July 18, 2011

m4 award to LMU and University of Erlangen teams for leukemia research

Karl-Peter Hopfner, together with Fuat Oduncu (Medical Clinic, LMU) and Georg Fey (Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen), received an m4 award in the amount of €500,000 for their proposal to develop antibody derivat...

Karl-Peter Hopfner, together with Fuat Oduncu (Medical Clinic, LMU) and Georg Fey (Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen), received an m4 award in the amount of €500,000 for their proposal to develop antibody derivatives for personalized therapy of acute myeloid leukemia. The m4 award is financed by the Bavarian Ministry of Economy and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, and provides start-up funding for projects with high commercial potential.

Karl-Peter Hopfner, together with Fuat Oduncu (Medical Clinic, LMU) and Georg Fey (Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen), received an m4 award in the amount of €500,000 for their proposal to develop antibody derivat...

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July 07, 2011

Molecular corkscrew knows the drill

In a recent study, Karl-Peter Hopfner's group has investigated how Swi2/Snf2 remodelers modulate protein-DNA interactions. They analyzed the structure and function of Modifier of Transcription 1 (Mot1), a simple member o...

In a recent study, Karl-Peter Hopfner's group has investigated how Swi2/Snf2 remodelers modulate protein-DNA interactions. They analyzed the structure and function of Modifier of Transcription 1 (Mot1), a simple member of this remodeler family. Mot1 winds along the DNA like a corkscrew, thereby replacing one of the key regulatory proteins, the TATA box binding protein (TBP), from the DNA. While this stops transcription of the target gene, TBP is stabilized and redistributed to other genes in the genome (Nature Advance Online Publication, July 6, 2011; Doi: 10.1038/nature10215)

In a recent study, Karl-Peter Hopfner's group has investigated how Swi2/Snf2 remodelers modulate protein-DNA interactions. They analyzed the structure and function of Modifier of Transcription 1 (Mot1), a simple member o...

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June 21, 2011

How to make stripes

Recent research from Ulrike Gaul's lab sheds new light on how periodicity is generated in animal body plans. Using a combination of computational and experimental approaches, the scientists examine the complex transcript...

Recent research from Ulrike Gaul's lab sheds new light on how periodicity is generated in animal body plans. Using a combination of computational and experimental approaches, the scientists examine the complex transcriptional regulation that underlies the formation of the 7-stripe expression patterns of pair-rule genes in Drosophila segmentation. They identify multiple new cis-regulatory elements and show that the non-periodically expressed maternal and gap genes have a much more pervasive role in setting up pair rule gene stripes than previously thought (Development 138, 3067-78).

Recent research from Ulrike Gaul's lab sheds new light on how periodicity is generated in animal body plans. Using a combination of computational and experimental approaches, the scientists examine the complex transcript...

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June 09, 2011

When ribosomes get stuck - watching the demise of defect mRNAs

A recent study by Roland Beckmann's group provided new insight into the demise of mRNAs stalled on ribosomes, a process called Nogo decay and mediated by the factors Dom34 and Hbs1. Using cryo electron microscopy, they ...

A recent study by Roland Beckmann's group provided new insight into the demise of mRNAs stalled on ribosomes, a process called Nogo decay and mediated by the factors Dom34 and Hbs1. Using cryo electron microscopy, they visualized a stalled complex and could demonstrate that Dom34/Hbs1 destabilize the complex, leading to the disassembly of the entire complex or the selective removal and degradation of the mRNA. Since the nature of the mRNA defect appears to be irrelevant, Nogo decay may serve to rescue blocked ribosomes more generally (Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 18, 715-720).

A recent study by Roland Beckmann's group provided new insight into the demise of mRNAs stalled on ribosomes, a process called Nogo decay and mediated by the factors Dom34 and Hbs1. Using cryo electron microscopy, they ...

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May 18, 2011

Protein complex Prp19 plays dual role in control of gene expression

New research from Katja Strässer's group shows how the TREX complex, which couples transcription of mRNAs to their export into the cytoplasm, is recruited to actively transcribed genes. They could demonstrate that the p...

New research from Katja Strässer's group shows how the TREX complex, which couples transcription of mRNAs to their export into the cytoplasm, is recruited to actively transcribed genes. They could demonstrate that the protein complex Prp19, previously only thought to be involved in splicing of pre-mRNAs, interacts with both RNA-Polymerase II, the enzyme which synthesizes mRNA, and TREX, which mediates mRNA transport (Genes Dev May 16, 2011 doi: 10.1101)

New research from Katja Strässer's group shows how the TREX complex, which couples transcription of mRNAs to their export into the cytoplasm, is recruited to actively transcribed genes. They could demonstrate that the p...

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April 20, 2011

How molecules find the right place at the right time

In a recent study, Dierck Niessing's group made an important contribution to understanding the underlying principles of messenger RNA transport within the cell. Using a combination of biochemical, biophysical and in viv...

In a recent study, Dierck Niessing's group made an important contribution to understanding the underlying principles of messenger RNA transport within the cell. Using a combination of biochemical, biophysical and in vivo methods, they could show that mRNAs destined for transport form a tight complex, first with the RNA- binding protein She2p within the nucleus and, after nuclear export, with the cytoplasmic adapter protein She3p. She3p binds both She2p and mRNA and connects them with the motor protein Myo4p (PloS Biology 9: e 1000611).

In a recent study, Dierck Niessing's group made an important contribution to understanding the underlying principles of messenger RNA transport within the cell. Using a combination of biochemical, biophysical and in viv...

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April 18, 2011

How proteins are integrated into the plasma membrane – a 3D view

In a recent study, Roland Beckmann’s group introduces a new method by which the integration of proteins into membranes can be investigated. During translation, ribosomes settle on a membrane-spanning channel into which...

In a recent study, Roland Beckmann’s group introduces a new method by which the integration of proteins into membranes can be investigated. During translation, ribosomes settle on a membrane-spanning channel into which they thread the nascent protein. The researchers could show, for the first time, that the channel releases the protein into the membrane through a lateral opening (Nat Struct and Mol Biol Apr 17. [Epub ahead of print]

In a recent study, Roland Beckmann’s group introduces a new method by which the integration of proteins into membranes can be investigated. During translation, ribosomes settle on a membrane-spanning channel into which...

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April 01, 2011

Solving the crystal structure of a key factor in DNA repair

The most dangerous damage to genomic DNA are double strand breaks. In a recent study, Karl-Peter Hopfner’s group has solved the crystal structure of the MR complex, which plays a central role in recognizing these break...

The most dangerous damage to genomic DNA are double strand breaks. In a recent study, Karl-Peter Hopfner’s group has solved the crystal structure of the MR complex, which plays a central role in recognizing these break, and has obtained intriguing insight into the recognition process. The complex initially has an open structure which closes, in an ATP-dependent fashion, when encountering a double strand break. End-to-end interactions between MR complexes prevent the DNA ends from drifting apart (Cell 145:54-66).

The most dangerous damage to genomic DNA are double strand breaks. In a recent study, Karl-Peter Hopfner’s group has solved the crystal structure of the MR complex, which plays a central role in recognizing these break...

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February 24, 2011

How cells overcome transcription blockage

In a recent study, Patrick Cramer’s group unravels the structural basis of RNA Polymerase II backtracking, arrest and reactivation (Nature 471:249-43).

January 26, 2011

Viruses spoiling their hosts’ innate immune response

Co-evolution with their hosts made viruses experts in manipulating the immune system of their hosts. In two recent studies, the group of Karl-Klaus Conzelmann elucidates key mechanisms of immune evasion by two different ...

Co-evolution with their hosts made viruses experts in manipulating the immune system of their hosts. In two recent studies, the group of Karl-Klaus Conzelmann elucidates key mechanisms of immune evasion by two different viruses, the neurotropic rabies virus and the haematotropic measles virus. While the rabies virus simply counteracts expression and function of interferon, a powerful antiviral and immune-stimulatory cytokine, the measles virus also interferes with the activity of the transcription factor NF-kB, which governs both innate immune responses and differentiation of immune cells (J Virol XXX, 2011; J Virol 85: 842-52).

Co-evolution with their hosts made viruses experts in manipulating the immune system of their hosts. In two recent studies, the group of Karl-Klaus Conzelmann elucidates key mechanisms of immune evasion by two different ...

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January 04, 2011

Dynamic transcriptome analysis measures mRNA turnover

In a recent study, Achim Tresch’s and Patrick Cramer’s groups have collaboratively developed a novel method, dynamic transcriptome analysis, to determine messenger RNA synthesis and decay rates on a genome-wide level...

In a recent study, Achim Tresch’s and Patrick Cramer’s groups have collaboratively developed a novel method, dynamic transcriptome analysis, to determine messenger RNA synthesis and decay rates on a genome-wide level. Using metabolic labeling of newly synthesized messenger RNA, followed by careful statistical modeling, they achieve a higher sensitivity and better temporal resolution than previous methods. Applying this new approach to yeast, they find that, under normal growth conditions, mRNA transcription and degradation are uncoupled, yet become coupled under osmotic stress (Molecular Systems Biology 7: 458, 2011).

In a recent study, Achim Tresch’s and Patrick Cramer’s groups have collaboratively developed a novel method, dynamic transcriptome analysis, to determine messenger RNA synthesis and decay rates on a genome-wide level...

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December 16, 2010

MP Seehofer signs off on funding for systems biology

Bavarian Minister President Seehofer and the State Parliament passed the state budget for the coming 2 years, which commits 13.6 Mio € to establish the new Research Center for Molecular Biosystems and 18.1 Mio € to t...

Bavarian Minister President Seehofer and the State Parliament passed the state budget for the coming 2 years, which commits 13.6 Mio € to establish the new Research Center for Molecular Biosystems and 18.1 Mio € to the BaySys research network, which is designed to support biosystems science in Bavaria. Gene Center scientists play a leading role in both initiatives.

Bavarian Minister President Seehofer and the State Parliament passed the state budget for the coming 2 years, which commits 13.6 Mio € to establish the new Research Center for Molecular Biosystems and 18.1 Mio € to t...

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December 14, 2010

Cramer receives ERC Advanced Investigator Grant

Patrick Cramer received an Advanced Investigator Grant from the European Research Council. These lucrative and highly competitive grants are awarded to European researchers based on their outstanding scientific achieveme...

Patrick Cramer received an Advanced Investigator Grant from the European Research Council. These lucrative and highly competitive grants are awarded to European researchers based on their outstanding scientific achievements to support highly innovative research. Professor Cramer’s project is entitled: ‘Mechanisms of regulated transcription initiation’.

Patrick Cramer received an Advanced Investigator Grant from the European Research Council. These lucrative and highly competitive grants are awarded to European researchers based on their outstanding scientific achieveme...

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December 02, 2010

How tRNAs move through the ribosome during translation

During translation, tRNAs move through the ribosome by a process called translocation, which is catalyzed by the elongation factor EF-G. By utilizing the antibiotic fusidic acid, a recent study by Daniel Wilson’s group...

During translation, tRNAs move through the ribosome by a process called translocation, which is catalyzed by the elongation factor EF-G. By utilizing the antibiotic fusidic acid, a recent study by Daniel Wilson’s group traps EF-G on the ribosome in different intermediate states of translocation, providing insight into how the tRNAs move through the ribosome (Nature 468: 713-6, 2010).

During translation, tRNAs move through the ribosome by a process called translocation, which is catalyzed by the elongation factor EF-G. By utilizing the antibiotic fusidic acid, a recent study by Daniel Wilson’s group...

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November 23, 2010

Wilson receives EMBO Young Investigator Award

Daniel Wilson was honored with the prestigious EMBO Young Investigator Award for his work to improve the design of antibiotics based on the structural analysis of bacterial ribosomes.

November 19, 2010

Transcription factor implicated in DNA repair

In a recent study, Katja Strässer’s group showed that the transcription factor Bur1-Bur2, which is known to interact with a protein complex that couples transcription with RNA export (TREX), also plays a role in DNA r...

In a recent study, Katja Strässer’s group showed that the transcription factor Bur1-Bur2, which is known to interact with a protein complex that couples transcription with RNA export (TREX), also plays a role in DNA repair. The researchers demonstrate that Bur1-Bur2 interacts with the replication protein A and thus maintains genome stability during replication (J Biol Chem 285:41665-74, 2010).

In a recent study, Katja Strässer’s group showed that the transcription factor Bur1-Bur2, which is known to interact with a protein complex that couples transcription with RNA export (TREX), also plays a role in DNA r...

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October 27, 2010

Beckmann and Hopfner become EMBO Members

Professors Karl-Peter Hopfner and Roland Beckmann were elected EMBO members for their outstanding work on the molecular mechanisms of genome maintenance and protein translation, respectively.

October 08, 2010

Protein synthesis can be blocked specifically

Translation of particular polypeptide chains leads to translational stalling, which is used by eukaryotes to repress the translation of downstream genes. In a recent study by Roland Beckmann’s and Daniel Wilson’s gro...

Translation of particular polypeptide chains leads to translational stalling, which is used by eukaryotes to repress the translation of downstream genes. In a recent study by Roland Beckmann’s and Daniel Wilson’s groups, cryo-electron microscopy reconstructions of two nascent peptide-stalled eukaryotic ribosomes reveal contacts with the ribosomal tunnel, and provide evidence for compaction of the nascent chain within defined regions of the tunnel (Mol Cell 40: 138-46, 2010).

Translation of particular polypeptide chains leads to translational stalling, which is used by eukaryotes to repress the translation of downstream genes. In a recent study by Roland Beckmann’s and Daniel Wilson’s gro...

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October 01, 2010

How tRNA production is turned off

In a recent study, Patrick Cramer’s group has elucidated how one of the key engines of gene expression, RNA polymerase III, is inhibited when cells are under stress. Using a combination of structural biology and bioch...

In a recent study, Patrick Cramer’s group has elucidated how one of the key engines of gene expression, RNA polymerase III, is inhibited when cells are under stress. Using a combination of structural biology and biochemistry, they demonstrate that, under stress conditions, the inhibitor Maf1 binds to the surface of the polymerase and prevents the formation of an active transcription initiation complex at the promoter (Cell 143:59-70, 2010).

In a recent study, Patrick Cramer’s group has elucidated how one of the key engines of gene expression, RNA polymerase III, is inhibited when cells are under stress. Using a combination of structural biology and bioch...

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September 28, 2010

Beckmann elected to Leopoldina

The German Academy of Natural Scientists Leopoldina elected Professor Roland Beckmann as a new member of its Biochemistry and Biophysics section. The Leopoldina was founded in 1652 and honors researchers for their outsta...

The German Academy of Natural Scientists Leopoldina elected Professor Roland Beckmann as a new member of its Biochemistry and Biophysics section. The Leopoldina was founded in 1652 and honors researchers for their outstanding scientific contributions.

The German Academy of Natural Scientists Leopoldina elected Professor Roland Beckmann as a new member of its Biochemistry and Biophysics section. The Leopoldina was founded in 1652 and honors researchers for their outsta...

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July 05, 2010

Federal Funding secured for BioSysM Research Building

The German Science Council (Wissenschaftsrat) has recommended funding the construction of a new research building ‘Molecular Biosystems Munich’ on the life sciences campus Großhadern/Martinsried. This new building s...

The German Science Council (Wissenschaftsrat) has recommended funding the construction of a new research building ‘Molecular Biosystems Munich’ on the life sciences campus Großhadern/Martinsried. This new building seeks to gather the expertise of different disciplines under one roof to study complex biological systems in their entirety.

The German Science Council (Wissenschaftsrat) has recommended funding the construction of a new research building ‘Molecular Biosystems Munich’ on the life sciences campus Großhadern/Martinsried. This new building s...

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May 28, 2010

New insights into the function of antibiotics

Macrolide antibiotics bind within the ribosomal tunnel and prevent elongation of the nascent polypeptide chain. In a recent study, Daniel Wilson’s group provides evidence that the sequence of the polypeptide influences...

Macrolide antibiotics bind within the ribosomal tunnel and prevent elongation of the nascent polypeptide chain. In a recent study, Daniel Wilson’s group provides evidence that the sequence of the polypeptide influences the efficacy of the inhibitory activity of the antibiotic, suggesting that macrolide antibiotics do not act on all translating ribosomes equally (Chem Biol 17: 504-14, 2010).

Macrolide antibiotics bind within the ribosomal tunnel and prevent elongation of the nascent polypeptide chain. In a recent study, Daniel Wilson’s group provides evidence that the sequence of the polypeptide influences...

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May 25, 2010

Protein linking the most important steps in gene expression

In a recent publication, Katja Strässer’s group has studied the RNA binding protein Sro 9, which was known to play a complex role in gene expression. They demonstrated that Sro9 is recruited to actively transcribed g...

In a recent publication, Katja Strässer’s group has studied the RNA binding protein Sro 9, which was known to play a complex role in gene expression. They demonstrated that Sro9 is recruited to actively transcribed genes in the nucleus and shuttles between nucleus and cytoplasm, suggesting that the protein accompanies mRNAs throughout their life, thereby increasing their perdurance and the efficiency of translation (RNA 16: 1393-401, 2010).

In a recent publication, Katja Strässer’s group has studied the RNA binding protein Sro 9, which was known to play a complex role in gene expression. They demonstrated that Sro9 is recruited to actively transcribed g...

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February 07, 2010

Ribosomal tunnel restricts α-helix formation to exit

In a recent study, Roland Beckmann’s group visualizes the nascent polypeptide chains with high α-helical propensity within the ribosomal tunnel. Interestingly, helix formation appears to be restricted to defined regio...

In a recent study, Roland Beckmann’s group visualizes the nascent polypeptide chains with high α-helical propensity within the ribosomal tunnel. Interestingly, helix formation appears to be restricted to defined regions of the ribosomal tunnel, particularly the region directly adjacent to the tunnel exit (Nat Struct Mol Biol 17:313-7, 2010).

In a recent study, Roland Beckmann’s group visualizes the nascent polypeptide chains with high α-helical propensity within the ribosomal tunnel. Interestingly, helix formation appears to be restricted to defined regio...

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January 27, 2010

Evolution of bacterial outer membrane proteins

In a recent study, Johannes Söding’s group reconstructed the evolutionary origin of the main class of bacterial outer membrane proteins. By applying various advanced sequence search methods developed by the authors, t...

In a recent study, Johannes Söding’s group reconstructed the evolutionary origin of the main class of bacterial outer membrane proteins. By applying various advanced sequence search methods developed by the authors, they show that, several billion years ago, bacterial outer membrane beta barrels evolved from a single beta-beta hairpin structure by amplification and diversification. This result provides the basis for improved methods to detect this important class of bacterial antigens and virulence factors (Mol Biol Evol 27:1348-1358, 2010).

In a recent study, Johannes Söding’s group reconstructed the evolutionary origin of the main class of bacterial outer membrane proteins. By applying various advanced sequence search methods developed by the authors, t...

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January 17, 2010

Nanobodies change the form and function of proteins

In a recent collaborative study, Karl-Peter Hopfner’s group has shown that nanobodies, small single domain antibodies, modulate the conformation and spectral properties of GFP. Through subtle changes in the chromophore...

In a recent collaborative study, Karl-Peter Hopfner’s group has shown that nanobodies, small single domain antibodies, modulate the conformation and spectral properties of GFP. Through subtle changes in the chromophore environment GFP fluorescence can be reduced or increased. Since nanobodies are active in living cells, they may become excellent tools to expand GFP’s functional repertoire (Nat Struct Mol Biol 17: 133-8).

In a recent collaborative study, Karl-Peter Hopfner’s group has shown that nanobodies, small single domain antibodies, modulate the conformation and spectral properties of GFP. Through subtle changes in the chromophore...

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December 04, 2009

Caught in translation

In a recent double feature, Roland Beckmann’s group has studied different aspects of nascent translation. In all organisms, the translation of secretory and membrane proteins can be directly coupled to the translocatio...

In a recent double feature, Roland Beckmann’s group has studied different aspects of nascent translation. In all organisms, the translation of secretory and membrane proteins can be directly coupled to the translocation across or insertion into membranes. Their first study visualizes the translation machinery interacting with a single copy of the protein-conducting channel, the Sec61 complex. (Science 326:1369-73, 2009). As polypeptide chains are synthesized, they pass through a tunnel on the large ribosomal subunit. In their second study, interaction of the bacterial TnaC polypeptide chain with components of the ribosomal tunnel are visualized using cryo-electron microscopy, providing insight into the mechanism of translational stalling (Science 326:1412-5, 2009).

In a recent double feature, Roland Beckmann’s group has studied different aspects of nascent translation. In all organisms, the translation of secretory and membrane proteins can be directly coupled to the translocatio...

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October 30, 2009

Novel antibiotic lead compounds identified

The emergence of multi-drug resistant bacterial strains underscores the urgent need for the development of novel antimicrobial agents. In a recent study by Daniel Wilson’s group, a variety of high-throughput translatio...

The emergence of multi-drug resistant bacterial strains underscores the urgent need for the development of novel antimicrobial agents. In a recent study by Daniel Wilson’s group, a variety of high-throughput translation machinery assays are utilized to identify novel antibiotic-precursor lead compounds (Chem Biol 16: 1087-96, 2009).

The emergence of multi-drug resistant bacterial strains underscores the urgent need for the development of novel antimicrobial agents. In a recent study by Daniel Wilson’s group, a variety of high-throughput translatio...

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October 23, 2009

New protein structure involved in neurodegeneration

In a recent publication, Dierk Niessing’s group has solved the x-ray structure of Pur-alpha, a protein which binds to CGG repeats in messenger RNA and is a key factor in fragile X-Syndrome, one of the most common genet...

In a recent publication, Dierk Niessing’s group has solved the x-ray structure of Pur-alpha, a protein which binds to CGG repeats in messenger RNA and is a key factor in fragile X-Syndrome, one of the most common genetic neurodegenerative diseases. They show that Pur-alpha proteins act as dimmers, each consisting of three PUR domains that comprise a Whirly-like fold and an unusual nucleic-acid binding surface (PNAS 106: 18521-6, 2009).

In a recent publication, Dierk Niessing’s group has solved the x-ray structure of Pur-alpha, a protein which binds to CGG repeats in messenger RNA and is a key factor in fragile X-Syndrome, one of the most common genet...

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October 09, 2009

Finding the transcription start site of a gene

In a recent study, Patrick Cramer’s group has developed a model for transcription initiation from the promoter of a protein-coding gene in yeast. Using a combination of structural biology, biochemistry and genetics, th...

In a recent study, Patrick Cramer’s group has developed a model for transcription initiation from the promoter of a protein-coding gene in yeast. Using a combination of structural biology, biochemistry and genetics, they elucidate the mechanisms by which the transcription machinery binds to the promoter, opens the DNA and locates the start site for messenger RNA synthesis (Nature 462: 323-330, 2009).

In a recent study, Patrick Cramer’s group has developed a model for transcription initiation from the promoter of a protein-coding gene in yeast. Using a combination of structural biology, biochemistry and genetics, th...

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October 07, 2009

Small RNAs keep selfish genetic elements under control

Control of selfish genetic elements is essential in the germline, however, also in somatic cells their activity has to be restrained. In Drosophila, a small RNA-based ‘immune system’, called endo-siRNAs, is in charge...

Control of selfish genetic elements is essential in the germline, however, also in somatic cells their activity has to be restrained. In Drosophila, a small RNA-based ‘immune system’, called endo-siRNAs, is in charge of this somatic counter-attack. In a recent study, Klaus Förstemann’s group has identified an essential component of endo-siRNA biogenesis and proposes a new mechanism by which cells define the sequences that have to be silenced (EMBO J 28: 2933-44, 2009)

Control of selfish genetic elements is essential in the germline, however, also in somatic cells their activity has to be restrained. In Drosophila, a small RNA-based ‘immune system’, called endo-siRNAs, is in charge...

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October 01, 2009

Petra Wendler arrives at the Gene Center

Petra Wendler, a Fellow of the Emmy Noether Program of the DFG, has just arrived at the Gene Center. Her lab will be studying the mechanisms of force generation in molecular motor proteins of the AAA+ family, such as the...

Petra Wendler, a Fellow of the Emmy Noether Program of the DFG, has just arrived at the Gene Center. Her lab will be studying the mechanisms of force generation in molecular motor proteins of the AAA+ family, such as the 19S proteasomal base. Wendler uses a range of biochemical and structural approaches, including single particle cryo-EM.

Petra Wendler, a Fellow of the Emmy Noether Program of the DFG, has just arrived at the Gene Center. Her lab will be studying the mechanisms of force generation in molecular motor proteins of the AAA+ family, such as the...

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July 29, 2009

microRNA has multiple roles in germline development

In a recent study, Ulrike Gaul’s group has shown a surprisingly broad role for a single microRNA, miR-184, in flies. They find that miR-184 is required maternally for stem cell differentiation in the ovaries, as well a...

In a recent study, Ulrike Gaul’s group has shown a surprisingly broad role for a single microRNA, miR-184, in flies. They find that miR-184 is required maternally for stem cell differentiation in the ovaries, as well as for axis formation in the egg chamber and the developing embryo. Intriguingly, the transcripts targeted by miR-184 in these processes encode regulatory factors rather than key pathway inducers or morphogens, suggesting that in this context, miR-184 may serve to tune rather than direct development (Dev Cell 17:123-33, 2009).

In a recent study, Ulrike Gaul’s group has shown a surprisingly broad role for a single microRNA, miR-184, in flies. They find that miR-184 is required maternally for stem cell differentiation in the ovaries, as well a...

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June 01, 2009

Gaul lab arrives at the Gene Center

Ulrike Gaul, recipient of an Alexander von Humboldt-Professorship in 2008, and newly appointed Professor of Organismic Biochemistry at the Department of Biochemistry arrives at the Gene Center with her group – and a fe...

Ulrike Gaul, recipient of an Alexander von Humboldt-Professorship in 2008, and newly appointed Professor of Organismic Biochemistry at the Department of Biochemistry arrives at the Gene Center with her group – and a few thousand Drosophila strains in tow. Her lab seeks to combine molecular, genetic, genomic, and computational approaches to achieve a systems-level understanding of biological processes, with special focus on two problems: the regulatory gene networks underlying cell fating and differentiation during development, and the role of glia in the development and homeostasis of the nervous system.

Ulrike Gaul, recipient of an Alexander von Humboldt-Professorship in 2008, and newly appointed Professor of Organismic Biochemistry at the Department of Biochemistry arrives at the Gene Center with her group – and a fe...

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April 10, 2009

Protein disaggregase Hsp104 on the move

In a recent study, Petra Wendler’s group presents cryo EM reconstructions of the protein remodeling complex Hsp104 in different functional states. The structures reveal large, nucleotide-dependent domain rearrangements...

In a recent study, Petra Wendler’s group presents cryo EM reconstructions of the protein remodeling complex Hsp104 in different functional states. The structures reveal large, nucleotide-dependent domain rearrangements which suggest substrate threading along the central axis of the complex. These results support a model of sequential ATP firing of the ATPase domains within the ring rather than a concerted action (Mol Cell 34: 81-92, 2009).

In a recent study, Petra Wendler’s group presents cryo EM reconstructions of the protein remodeling complex Hsp104 in different functional states. The structures reveal large, nucleotide-dependent domain rearrangements...

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February 23, 2009

Improved sequence analysis of genes and proteins

In a recent study, Johannes Söding’s group has introduced a novel computational method for finding remote homologies in protein and DNA sequences. Their algorithm searches sequences databases at the same speed as othe...

In a recent study, Johannes Söding’s group has introduced a novel computational method for finding remote homologies in protein and DNA sequences. Their algorithm searches sequences databases at the same speed as others, such as BLAST, but is much more sensitive in picking up conserved features (PNAS 106: 3770-5, 2009).

In a recent study, Johannes Söding’s group has introduced a novel computational method for finding remote homologies in protein and DNA sequences. Their algorithm searches sequences databases at the same speed as othe...

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February 20, 2009

How human cells sense RNA viral infections

How human cells distinguish between invading viral RNA and their own cytoplasmic messenger RNA is not well understood. In a recent collaborative study, Karl-Peter Hopfner’s group has shown that the cytosolic multidomai...

How human cells distinguish between invading viral RNA and their own cytoplasmic messenger RNA is not well understood. In a recent collaborative study, Karl-Peter Hopfner’s group has shown that the cytosolic multidomain protein RIG-I senses two important viral RNA patterns - long double strands and 5’ phosphates – and stimulate its ATPase and downstream signaling activity, in turn eliciting an antiviral innate immune response (Science 323: 1070-4, 2010).

How human cells distinguish between invading viral RNA and their own cytoplasmic messenger RNA is not well understood. In a recent collaborative study, Karl-Peter Hopfner’s group has shown that the cytosolic multidomai...

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January 08, 2009

Cramer receives Ernst-Jung Research Award

Patrick Cramer receives the Ernst-Jung Research Award for his outstanding work on transcription. This annual Prize was established in 1967 by the Hamburg merchant Ernst Jung and is awarded for ground-breaking medical research.