Ina Huppertz

Dr. Ina Huppertz is the Max Planck Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing in Cologne, Germany. She leads an independent research group focused on RNA-binding proteins and their roles in metabolic regulation, stem cell differentiation, and gene expression. Her work bridges molecular biology, RNA biochemistry, and systems biology.

Education:

• PhD in Molecular Biology, University of Cambridge (2012–2015)
• BSc in Life Sciences, Jacobs University Bremen (2009–2012)

Her research interests center on RNA-binding proteins, riboregulation, and post-transcriptional control of metabolism. She investigates how RNA-protein interactions regulate key metabolic enzymes and influence cell fate decisions, particularly in embryonic stem cells. Her lab employs cutting-edge techniques such as iCLIP to map protein-RNA interactions at nucleotide resolution.

The recent publications demonstrate a strong trend in understanding how RNA-binding proteins regulate metabolic pathways, stem cell differentiation, and autophagy. Her work combines mechanistic biochemistry with systems-level analysis, contributing to fields such as RNA biology, cellular metabolism, and neurodegeneration.

Scientific Awards:

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship (2017–2019)
• Marie Curie ITN Fellowship (RNPnet)
• Benefactors’ Scholarship, St. John’s College
• Amgen Scholars Program Scholarship (2011)
• German National Academic Foundation Scholarship (2010–2012)

Dr. Huppertz has secured competitive third-party funding, including a DFG Research Grant (2022–2024) on metabolic control in stem cells and an EMBL Technology Development Fund award (2021). She actively mentors a team of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, including Lea Hund, Chrysi Kapsali, Lea Josefin Kaufmann, Ellie Koletsou, Julia Meier, and Tuğçe Soylu. Her lab also hosts guest scientists and student assistants.

She leads the Max Planck Research Group Huppertz, which includes a multidisciplinary team of scientists, technicians, and students focusing on RNA biology and metabolism. The group fosters collaborative and innovative research in a dynamic environment at one of Europe’s leading institutes for molecular aging research.