RNA Turnover & Translation

The activity of all eukaryotic genes is controlled in the nucleus at the level of transcription. In addition, gene expression is regulated at multiple posttranscriptional levels, including the active control of mRNA translation and decay in the cytoplasm. The Biochemistry Division examines molecular mechanisms by which mRNA decay and translation are controlled in mammalian cells. By focusing on the role of posttranscriptional regulation in macrophage responsiveness, the Division is a core member of the Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience (MI3). Additional research areas cover gene expression dynamics during cellular activation, RNA-binding proteins in stress responses, as well as the role of tRNA and mRNA modifications. By exploring cancer-related changes in posttranscriptional gene regulation, the Division is embedded in the research focus area Oncology of the Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University.

The Division of Biochemistry is organized in four research units:

• Ÿ Mechanisms of mRNA turnover and translation control
• Ÿ mRNA expression dynamics in innate immune cells
• Ÿ Translational control by tRNA modifications
• Ÿ Translation control and phase transitions in cellular homeostasis and stress responses

The activity of all eukaryotic genes is controlled in the nucleus at the level of transcription. In addition, gene expression is regulated at the posttranscriptional level in the cytoplasm through control of mRNA translation and degradation. Our lab examines molecular mechanisms by which mRNA decay and translation are controlled in mammalian cells.