Intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) are parts of proteins that do not fold into a pre-defined three-dimensional structure, but instead remain flexible and dynamically change their conformation. In contrast to the much better studied structured regions, it is not well understood how IDRs function. They frequently contain binding sites for other factors, and they are often involved in the formation of liquid droplets. Interestingly, proteins involved in transcription regulation show the highest content of IDRs in the entire proteome. In our group, we are trying to understand why IDRs are so common during transcription and how do they function in gene activation? For this, we are using a combination of in vitro and in vivo biochemistry and work in close collaboration with physics.

Positions held 

Since 2023   
Group leader, Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany

2017-2022   
Post-doctoral researcher, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG), Dresden, Germany

Education

2012 - 2017   
PhD in Biochemistry, University of Oxford, United Kingdom

2009 - 2012   
M.Sc. in Biochemistry, University of Regensburg, Germany

2006 - 2009   
B.Sc. in Biochemistry, University of Regensburg, Germany