While the core building blocks of our DNA, RNA and proteins were characterized decades ago, recent research has unraveled a remarkable diversity of chemical modifications that modify the coding properties of bases in DNA and RNA and the amino acids of a protein. Such chemical groups are often dynamic, e.g. bases can be methylated and demethylated, providing a reversible gene-regulation mechanism.
Our aim is to identify writers, readers and erasers of such marks and to gain understanding of their biological relevance.
We are particularly interested in reprogramming of the human genome in meiosis and the preimplantation embryo. Moreover, key mechanisms for gene-regulation in these early stages of a new life might also be critical for understanding cancer development.
Our current studies also include several novel models for post translational modifications in RNA. The reversible nature of some chemical modifications of RNA is a very recent discovery. Most of our studies rely on novel mutants in various model organisms.
We collaborate with excellent national groups, and also research groups in China, Germany, UK and USA. Our research group, and our Institute, are truly international with 70% international PhD students and post doctoral fellows.
Projects
- Identify molecular mechanisms underlying coding properties of methylated adenines in mRNA
- Study genome regulation in the maternal to zygotic transition
Externally Funded Projects
- Epitranscriptomic regulation of the preimplantation embryo, HSØ
- Epitranscriptomic regulation of meiosis, NFR
- Epitranscriptomic regulation of bladder cancer, DNK
International Collaborations
- Alexey Ruzov, University of Nottingham
- Chuan He, University of Chicago
- Kin Fai Au, The Ohio State University
