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Valérie HilgersView profile

Researcher

• RNA Biology
• Neuroscience
• Transcriptomics
• +3 more

Valérie Hilgers is a Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology & Epigenetics, leading the Laboratory for RNA Processing in the Nervous System. Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying neuron-specific RNA signatures and their role in neural development and function. She employs Drosophila melanogaster as a model system, leveraging techniques such as functional genetics, imaging, and advanced transcriptomics (iCLIP, RNA-seq, ultra-long-read sequencing). Her work bridges transcriptional and post-transcriptional RNA regulation, investigating how these processes shape neuronal function in health and disease. Key projects include understanding mRNA isoform selection, non-coding RNA roles in neuronal granules, and the regulatory functions of ELAV/Hu proteins. Recent studies highlight ELAV's role in circular RNA biogenesis and Pumilio's control of synaptic protein localization. Publications span high-impact journals like Cell and Science Advances, with a focus on RNA diversity and its implications for neurological disorders. Collaborations include work with the Lagha lab on live imaging and participation in conferences like EMBL's 'Gene Regulation: One Molecule at a Time.'

Haiting MaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Stem Cell Biology
• Epigenetics
• Cell Differentiation
• +3 more

Haiting Ma is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology at the University of Illinois' School of Molecular & Cellular Biology. She holds a BSc from Nankai University, an MSc from Western University, and a PhD from Washington University in St. Louis. Her research focuses on epigenetic mechanisms governing stem cell pluripotency, differentiation, and tissue maturation, with applications in regenerative medicine and disease modeling. Key areas include understanding how environmental cues and metabolism influence epigenetic regulation during development, developing technologies for maturing pluripotent stem cells into specialized cell types, and applying these insights to address unmet medical needs. Her lab has pioneered studies on hepatocyte maturation using nuclear receptor signaling and β-cell transplantation in diabetes research. Dr. Ma's work spans multiple disciplines, including epigenomics, biochemistry, and stem cell biology. She has published extensively in high-impact journals like Cell Stem Cell and Cell Reports Medicine, with notable contributions to CAR-T cell engineering and SARS-CoV-2 genome integration studies. Her research also explores disease mechanisms in colorectal cancer and neuroblastoma through chimeric mouse models. Key facilities include the Stem Cell Epigenetics Lab at the University of Illinois. Collaborations with institutions like MIT, Vanderbilt University, and Harvard Medical School highlight her interdisciplinary approach.

Kannanganattu V. PrasanthView profile

Professor

• RNA Biology
• Cancer Genome Architecture
• Chromatin Structure
• +6 more

Kannanganattu V. Prasanth is a Professor of Cell & Developmental Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s School of Molecular & Cellular Biology. His research focuses on understanding the roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in nuclear domains, cancer progression, and cell cycle regulation. He holds a Ph.D. in Cytogenetics from Banaras Hindu University and completed postdoctoral training at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Research Interests: Regulation of gene expression via lncRNAs in nuclear domains like speckles and nucleoli Role of lncRNAs in cancer metastasis and tumor biology Cell cycle-regulated lncRNAs and their impact on proliferation Mechanisms of RNA phase separation and condensate formation Functional genomics of nucleolar organizer region-derived lncRNAs Recent Highlights: Discovered MALAT1’s role in splicing factor organization and cancer metastasis Identified SUNO1 lncRNA’s regulation of Hippo signaling in cell proliferation Characterized nucleolar territories formed by monoallelic lncRNAs Awards: EAGER NSF award American Cancer Society Research Scholar Cancer Center at Illinois seed grants Labs/Teams: Leads the Prasanth Lab, which integrates molecular, cellular, and genomic approaches to study lncRNA function in health and disease.

Kannanganattu V PrasanthView profile

Professor

• Regulation of Gene Expression
• RNA Biology
• Long noncoding RNA
• +5 more

Kannanganattu V Prasanth is a Professor in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Illinois. His research focuses on long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and their role in gene regulation, particularly during cancer progression. His primary research interests include: Regulation of Gene Expression RNA Biology Nuclear domain organization and structure Long noncoding RNA mechanisms in cancer Prasanth's laboratory investigates how nuclear domain-enriched lncRNAs control gene expression through modulation of nuclear domains and associated chromatin structure. His work demonstrates that lncRNAs like MALAT1 regulate vital cellular processes by functioning as 'scaffolds' or 'guides' to modulate protein interactions. He has established connections between nuclear speckle-localized RNAs and cancer progression, showing how MALAT1 depletion reduces tumorigenic properties while its overexpression enhances tumor metastasis. His recent publications reveal significant findings in lncRNA biology, including characterization of cell cycle-regulated lncRNAs and their role in breast cancer progression, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer. His work on MANCR lncRNA and MALAT1 has provided important insights into RNA-mediated gene regulatory mechanisms. Prasanth has received several honors including an EAGER NSF award, Research Scholar from the American Cancer Society, and Cancer Center at Illinois seed grants. His laboratory employs cellular and molecular biological approaches to unravel lncRNA functions in mammalian cells, with particular focus on nuclear speckles, paraspeckles, and nucleolar domains. Current research directions include investigating phase separation mechanisms within nuclear speckles and CRISPR-based approaches to characterize lncRNA functions in cancer cells.

Georg StoecklinView profile

Professor

• mRNA decay and stability
• post-transcriptional gene regulation
• stress granules and cellular stress response
• +5 more

Professor Georg Stoecklin is a distinguished biochemist at the Medical Faculty Mannheim (Heidelberg University) , where he has held a W3 Professorship since 2016. He also serves as Co-director of the Centrum für Biomedizin und Medizintechnik Mannheim (CBTM) and has been an Academic Editor at PLoS One since 2011. His career spans prestigious institutions including Harvard Medical School, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and Ruprecht Karls University Heidelberg. University of Basel (Medical School) 1990–1997 Harvard Medical School: Instructor of Medicine (2004–2006) German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ): Junior Group Leader (2006–2015) Ruprecht Karls University Heidelberg: Habilitation in Molecular Biology (2013) Dr. Stoecklin's research focuses on mRNA decay mechanisms and post-transcriptional regulation in cellular stress responses. His work spans: mRNA stability and degradation pathways Stress granule dynamics Non-coding RNA interactions Virus-induced translational control Computational analysis of AU-rich elements Signal transduction in inflammation His recent publications analyze: TIAR's role in replication stress (EMBO Rep 2019) Flavivirus modulation of stress responses (mBio 2017) Acetylation-dependent RNA decay (Mol Cell 2016) Stress granule formation in cold shock (Mol Biol Cell 2012) ARE-mRNA regulation by BRF1 (EMBO J 2002) Scientific honors include: Swiss National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship Paul Basset Prize (Strasbourg, France) Roche Research Foundation Award Medical Faculty Prize (University of Basel) He has served as: Co-director, Centrum für Biomedizin und Medizintechnik Mannheim (2016–present) Speaker, CellNetworks Excellence Cluster (2012–2018) Guest Editor, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (2013)

• Nematology
• Plant-Parasitic Nematodes
• Globodera pallida
• +7 more

Aska Goverse is an Associate Professor at Wageningen University & Research, leading the Laboratory of Nematology. Active in nematology and plant-parasitic nematode research, Goverse focuses on durable resistance mechanisms in potatoes, host-pathogen interactions, and RNA-based responses to infections. Collaborations span European research consortia, including the NEM-EMERGE project. Affiliation: Wageningen University & Research Department: Laboratory of Nematology Academic Rank: Associate Professor Research Interests: Investigating nematode effector proteins and their roles in immune evasion Developing heat-stable resistance strategies against potato cyst nematodes Exploring cross-talk between nematodes and viral infections via siRNA activation Using transcriptomics (RNAseq, spatial RNA tomography) to map infection dynamics in Arabidopsis and potato Scientific Activities: Organizer of the NEM-EMERGE annual meeting (2025) Chair of the 35th European Society of Nematologists symposium (2024) Editorial board member for Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions (2023-2027) and Frontiers in Plant Science (2023) Scientific Awards: Recipient of the Excellent Education Prize (2018) Advising and Projects: Co-promotor for PhD candidates studying nematode virulence and resistance Active projects include biogeography of root-knot nematodes, heat-stable plant resistances, and durable resistance to potato cyst nematodes Contributed to genomic datasets for Globodera species

Angelika HarbauerView profile

Professor

• Neuroscience
• Molecular Biology
• Mitochondrial Biology
• +4 more

Angelika Harbauer is a Professor at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) School of Medicine and a Max Planck Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence. Her research focuses on mitochondrial biogenesis and neuronal metabolism , particularly mechanisms of mitochondrial quality control in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s. Studied Molecular Medicine at University of Freiburg (Diploma) and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam PhD in Biochemistry at Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg (2009-2014) Postdoctoral research at Harvard Medical School/Boston Children’s Hospital (2015-2019) Key research areas include mitochondrial RNA transport , AMPK/insulin signaling in neurons, and local protein synthesis for mitochondrial repair. Her work explores how mitochondrial plasticity intersects with synaptic function and neurodegeneration. Recent publications address mitochondrial hitchhiking of mRNAs , fluorogenic imaging probes , and regulation of mitophagy through kinase activity. Trends show emphasis on neurodegenerative disease mechanisms and mitochondrial-nuclear communication . Scientific honors include the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellowship , Bayer-Healthcare Award , and Barbara-Hobom Award . She leads the Neurometabolism Research Group at Max Planck Institute, focusing on mitochondrial health in neurons and its implications for brain function.

• Computational Biology
• Systems Biology
• Comparative Genomics
• +4 more

Dr. John Parkinson is a computational biologist and Senior Scientist at the Hospital for Sick Children, with cross-appointments in the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the University of Toronto. His research integrates computational systems biology and comparative genomics to study parasites, pathogens, and microbiomes, focusing on their evolutionary strategies and host interactions. Roles: Research Professor, Computational Biologist, Senior Scientist Collaborations: Works with clinicians, parasitologists, immunologists, and bioinformaticians Platforms: Utilizes SciNet (University of Toronto's HPC) His research spans three main areas: (1) computational and experimental analysis of parasite genomes, (2) microbiome dynamics in diseases like cystic fibrosis and IBD, and (3) evolutionary innovations in pathogens. Techniques include metagenomics, network biology, and constraint-based metabolic modeling. Key trends across his publications include cross-species genomic comparisons , metabolic pathway elucidation in parasites, and functional interrogation of microbiomes through metatranscriptomics. Collaborative work on apicomplexan parasites (Toxoplasma, Plasmodium) highlights evolutionary strategies for host persistence. Scientific Awards CIHR New Investigator (2006-2011) Ministry of Research and Innovation - Early Researchers Award (2007-2012) NATO Postdoctoral Fellowship (1995-1996) Wellcome Trust Mathematical Biology Fellowship (1991-1995) Trainees in the Parkinson Lab acquire expertise in machine learning , metagenomics , and bioinformatics pipelines , supported by access to high-performance computing and wet-lab facilities for Toxoplasma proteomics. The lab maintains active collaborations with clinicians and international sequencing consortia.

Daniela RotinView profile

Professor

• Ubiquitin System
• Signal Transduction
• Cell Biology
• +6 more

Daniela Rotin is a Professor at the Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, and a Senior Scientist at the Cell Biology Program of the Hospital for Sick Children since 1992. Her research focuses on the ubiquitin system, particularly the Nedd4 family of E3 ubiquitin ligases, and their roles in regulating membrane proteins linked to diseases like cystic fibrosis, hypertension, and cancer. 1992–Present: Independent Investigator, Cell Biology Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto Professor: Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto Research Interests: Her lab investigates the biochemistry, structure, and function of Nedd4 ubiquitin ligases, their physiological roles in cellular processes, and the development of proteomic methodologies to identify ligase substrates. Key projects involve studying disease-relevant membrane proteins such as ENaC, CFTR, and PTPsigma. Scientific Awards: Canada Research Chair, Tier I (2004–2011, 2011–2018) Woman of Action (WOA) Scientist Award (2011) Zeller’s Senior Scientist Award (2003) CIHR Investigator (1999–2004) Premier’s Research Excellence Award (1999) Advising: Mentored recent graduates Ruth Milkereit and Avinash Persaud, who published in Nature Communications . Her lab has trained multiple trainees working on ubiquitin ligases and membrane protein regulation. Labs & Teams: Rotin’s lab at the Hospital for Sick Children collaborates with interdisciplinary teams in biochemistry, cell biology, and proteomics to study ubiquitin-mediated protein regulation and develop therapeutic strategies for cystic fibrosis and related diseases.

• Post-transcriptional gene regulation
• RNA-binding proteins
• mRNA translation
• +4 more

Craig A. Smibert is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Toronto, specializing in post-transcriptional gene regulation mechanisms. His research focuses on RNA-binding proteins and regulatory RNAs that control mRNA translation, stability, and subcellular localization in the cytoplasm, primarily using Drosophila melanogaster embryos as a model system. He has developed innovative synthetic antibody techniques for genome-wide analysis of RNA-protein interactions. Research Interests Post-transcriptional control in early Drosophila embryos Molecular mechanisms of Smaug RNA-binding protein RNA-binding protein networks and the 'ribonome' Translational repression and mRNA degradation pathways High-throughput synthetic antibody production Publications Trends His recent work analyzes RNA-binding protein function across developmental systems, emphasizing genome-wide approaches to understand both specific regulatory pathways (like Smaug-nanos interactions) and broader patterns of post-transcriptional control. Research spans molecular genetics, structural biology, and computational analysis of regulatory networks. Labs & Collaborations Smibert leads a research lab that combines biochemical, genetic, and computational approaches to studying cytoplasmic gene regulation. His team's work on synthetic antibody production for RNA-binding proteins has created resources for systematic analysis of the early Drosophila ribonome.

Liesl LawrenceView profile

Assistant Professor

• Biomedical Sciences
• Cancer Biology
• Molecular Biology
• +2 more

Liesl Lawrence is an Assistant Professor in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Cairn University , where she teaches biology. She holds a PhD in Integrated Biomedical Sciences from the University of Texas Health Science Center and a BS in Biological Sciences from The Master’s University. PhD in Integrated Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center BS in Biological Sciences, The Master’s University Her research focuses on the dysregulation of RNA processing in Ewing sarcoma, a pediatric bone and soft tissue cancer. Outside academia, she enjoys piano, outdoor activities, and serves in her local church through children’s Sunday school and worship team ministries.

Deanna SmithView profile

Professor

• Neurobiology
• Cell Biology
• Axonal Transport
• +3 more

Dr. Deanna Smith is a tenured Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of South Carolina's College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms governing neural cell function, particularly cytoplasmic dynein regulation by LIS1 and related proteins, and their impact on axonal transport - a critical process for neural circuit maintenance and nervous system health. Research Interests: Investigating LIS1's role in dynein regulation Studying LIS1 missense mutations in cultured neurons Analyzing LIS1 depletion effects in mouse nervous systems Exploring mitochondrial transport in neural cells Elucidating dynein-NEDEL1 interactions Scientific Publications (2022): LIS1 and NDEL1 Regulate Axonal Trafficking of Mitochondria in Mature Neurons Deacetylation of Miro1 by HDAC6 blocks mitochondrial transport Dimethyl Fumarate's Nrf2-independent effects on neurons Laboratory & Collaborations: Smith Lab Collaborations with Twiss, Giger, and Schiavo laboratories

Dietrich OberView profile

Professor

• Plant Secondary Metabolism
• Molecular Evolution
• Biochemical Ecology
• +7 more

Dietrich Ober is a Professor at Kiel University, affiliated with the Institute of Botany within the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. He leads the Research Group Biochemical Ecology and Molecular Evolution and also serves as Head of the Botanical Garden Kiel. His research integrates molecular biology, biochemistry, and evolutionary analysis to understand plant secondary metabolism, particularly focusing on pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) and their ecological roles. His research interests center around the evolution of metabolic pathways in plants, especially how gene duplication leads to novel enzymatic functions in alkaloid biosynthesis. Using model systems such as Jacobaea vulgaris , Crotalaria , and Convolvulaceae species like morning glories, he investigates the genetic basis of chemical defense mechanisms in plants. His work explores how plants evolve new traits through mutations and gene duplications to survive herbivore pressure, exemplifying the 'plant-herbivore arms race.' The recent publications highlight a strong trend in evolutionary biochemistry, particularly in enzyme evolution, gene duplication dynamics, and plant-microbe interactions. Studies focus on key enzymes like homospermidine synthase (HSS) and putrescine-N-methyltransferase (PMT), analyzing their evolutionary trajectories and functional divergence. Methodologically, the research combines phylogenetics, heterologous protein expression, activity assays, and genomic analyses. Dietrich Ober actively supervises student research and offers bachelor’s and master’s thesis projects related to protein evolution and secondary metabolism. His group collaborates closely with Dr. Elisabeth Kaltenegger and is supported by resources from the Botanic Gardens Kiel. Though no specific awards are listed, his publication record in top journals such as PNAS , Plant Cell , and Trends in Plant Science reflects significant scientific impact. The research environment emphasizes training young scientists in diverse techniques including DNA/RNA isolation, PCR, cloning, protein purification, and bioinformatics. The group fosters interdisciplinary understanding by studying complex biological systems involving plants, insects, fungi, and bacteria.

• Natural Language Processing
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Speech Recognition
• +13 more

Prof. Dr. Bernd Ludwig is a faculty member at the Institute for Information and Media, Language and Culture (I:IMSK) within the Faculty of Languages, Literature and Cultural Studies at the University of Regensburg. He has held the Professorship for Information Linguistics since August 2011, following a visiting role in the summer semester of that year. His academic journey began at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, where he earned his PhD in 2004 and completed his habilitation in 2010. His research spans the interdisciplinary domains of natural language processing, human-computer interaction, and artificial intelligence, with a focus on spoken dialogue systems, user modeling, and context-aware assistive technologies. He leads projects like URWalking and ROSE, contributing to advancements in indoor navigation and intelligent mobile assistance. His recent publications reflect a diverse portfolio, combining AI and NLP with health informatics, social media analysis, and industrial applications. Trends show a growing emphasis on large language models, health recommendation systems, and the societal impact of AI. Scientific Awards: Zeitschrift für Medizinische Physik (ZMP) Autorenpreis 2022 AMiner Most Influential Scholar Award 2018 Nomination for Best Paper Award at MUM 2016 Nomination for Best Paper Award at KI 2010 SEW-EURODRIVE-Stiftung Studienpreis for Diploma Thesis (1997) Advising and Grants: Prof. Ludwig has supervised multiple doctoral candidates to completion, including Dr. Karema Al Subari and Dr. Robert Jackermeier, and currently mentors PhD students. He has secured research funding, notably a BMBF grant for the OPTAPEB project (2018–2021), and contributes to academic service as co-editor of Künstliche Intelligenz and organizer of major conferences such as CHIIR 2022 and COSIT 2019. Labs and Teams: He is a core member of the research team at the University of Regensburg, collaborating closely with Prof. Udo Kruschwitz, Prof. David Elsweiler, and others. His workgroup focuses on intelligent user interfaces, multimodal interaction, and practical applications of AI in everyday contexts.

Elsa PetitView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Plant-Microbe Interactions
• Viticulture
• Plant Pathology
• +7 more

Elsa Petit is a Senior Lecturer in Viticulture and Plant Pathology and Program Coordinator for Horticulture Associate and Bachelor of Science Programs at the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is actively engaged in research, teaching, and extension, focusing on sustainable agriculture and plant-microbe interactions in grape systems. Education: Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, 2005 M.S. in Agronomy, Bordeaux, France, 2000 Dr. Petit's research centers on the evolution and ecology of plant-microbe interactions, using grape species in the Northeast U.S. as a model system. Her lab investigates the impact of agricultural management on plant microbiomes, temperature effects on flowering time in wild grapes, and variation in disease resistance to fungal pathogens. She emphasizes sustainable viticulture and climate-resilient agricultural practices. Her recent publications span fungal pathology, molecular ecology, genome evolution, and entomology, reflecting interdisciplinary work with strong implications for plant health and biodiversity. Key themes include fungal disease mechanisms, microbiome dynamics, and genetic adaptation in plant pathogens. Service and Leadership: Leader, MA Extension Grape Production Lead Investigator, NIFA Multistate Project NE1720 (MAS00516): 'Multi-state Coordinated Evaluation of Winegrape Cultivars and Clones' Editor, New England Grape Notes Newsletter Chair, Ad Hoc Committee on Language Proficiency Member, International Studies Council Member, Faculty Senate - General Education Council She teaches courses such as General Plant Pathology, Sustainable Grape Production, and Global Issues in Applied Biology. Her extension work bridges academic research with practical grape growing in Massachusetts, supporting local growers through science-based outreach.