Maria Hondele

Maria Hondele is a Tenure-track Assistant Professor at the Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland, where she leads a research group dedicated to understanding the formation, regulation, and function of membraneless organelles, particularly those associated with RNA processing. Her interdisciplinary work bridges biochemistry, biophysics, and cell biology to dissect how RNA-protein condensates influence gene expression.

Her research focuses on liquid-liquid phase separation and the role of DEAD-box ATPases as master regulators of biomolecular condensates. She investigates how these dynamic structures control RNA flux, processing, and localization within cells. Her lab employs a multidisciplinary approach including biochemical reconstitution, biophysical measurements, high-throughput screening, and advanced imaging techniques to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying condensate formation and function.

The recent publications of her group reveal a strong thematic focus on RNA-protein interactions, phase separation, stress granules, and the enzymatic regulation of condensates by ATPases. These studies span model systems from synthetic coacervates to human cells, reflecting a comprehensive strategy to understand both fundamental principles and biological implications of membraneless organelles.

• ERC Starting Grant (2020)
• SNSF Eccellenza Professorship (2019)
• HFSP Long-Term Postdoctoral Fellowship (2015–2018)
• ETH and EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship (2015)
• PhD Prize, University of Munich (2014)
• Boehringer Ingelheim PhD Fellowship (2008–2011)

Dr. Hondele advises a vibrant team of postdoctoral fellows, PhD students, and master’s students, indicating an active and expanding research program. She has secured competitive grants and leads a productive research group contributing significantly to the field of RNA biology and cellular organization. She is also an Associate Member of the National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) RNA & Disease, reflecting her integration into major national research initiatives.

Her research group is embedded within the Biozentrum, a leading interdisciplinary research center at the University of Basel, providing access to state-of-the-art facilities and collaborative networks in molecular and cellular biology.