Find Academic Supervisors

Michael C. YuView profile

Associate Professor

• Protein Methylation
• RNA Processing
• Molecular Biology
• +4 more

Michael C. Yu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University at Buffalo (College of Arts and Sciences). His research focuses on the biological functions of protein arginine methylation, particularly its roles in pre-mRNA splicing, RNA Pol III transcription, and GPCR signaling. Yu holds a PhD from the University of California, Los Angeles, and completed postdoctoral research at Harvard Medical School. Education: PhD in Biological Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles Postdoctoral Research, Harvard Medical School Research Interests: Protein methylation’s impact on cellular processes, including splicing regulation, tRNA biogenesis, and GPCR signaling. His lab employs cell biology, biochemistry, proteomics, and genomics approaches to study these mechanisms in yeast and mammalian systems. Key Findings: Established methylation’s role in spliceosome assembly, revealed PRMT1’s regulation of tRNA transcription, and identified arginine methylation’s influence on dopamine receptor function. Recent work explores metabolic reprogramming in leukemia and phosphorylation-dependent mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases. Grants & Awards: No awards explicitly listed in the provided texts, though his work has been highlighted in Faculty of 1000 and Nature Structural & Molecular Biology . Teaching: Teaches BIO 319, BIO 332, and BIO 404/504 courses. Office hours include dedicated student consultation slots. Labs & Collaborations: Collaborates with Denise Ferkey and Stewart Clark on GPCR projects, and uses model systems like C. elegans and budding yeast. His lab investigates methylation’s role in disease contexts such as cancer and Huntington’s disease.

Jun ZhangView profile

Associate Professor

• Biochemistry
• Structural Biology
• Biophysics
• +5 more

Jun Zhang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where he has been employed since 2016. His research focuses on the structural and functional roles of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), particularly in RNA-binding proteins and phosphorylation-regulated mechanisms. Education: PhD in Biochemistry/Biophysics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2011); Master’s in Protein Spectroscopy from Tsinghua University. Research Interests: Structural analysis of IDPs, RNA-protein interactions, spliceosome assembly, and applications of NMR, crystallography, and SAXS to study dynamic systems. His work bridges biophysics and molecular biology to elucidate regulatory mechanisms in cellular processes and diseases. Recent Publications: 15 peer-reviewed articles (2009–2025) on topics like phosphorylation-driven spliceosome regulation, electronegative cluster effects on RNA binding, and advanced methods for protein purification and biophysical analysis. Grants: Funded by NIH R35 (2022) and NSF MCB (2020) for studies on RNA splicing and protein dynamics. Students & Mentoring: Advises PhD candidates and postdocs including Talia Fargason, Trent Paul, and Steve Zaharias, with notable achievements in splicing factor research and biophysical assays. Professional Activities: Reviewer for journals like Nucleic Acids Research and Protein & Cell ; presented at the Frontiers of NMR in Life Sciences (2017).

Simon TrowitzschView profile

Research Fellow

• Ribonucleoprotein Complexes in Gene Expression
• Mechanisms of Antigen Processing and Presentation in Adaptive Immunity
• Enabling Technologies for Multiprotein Complex Research
• +3 more

Dr. Simon Trowitzsch is a Group Leader at the Institute of Biochemistry at Goethe-University Frankfurt, where he also serves as a Senior Scientist collaborating with Prof. Robert Tampé. His research focuses on ribonucleoprotein complexes, antigen processing mechanisms, and enabling technologies for studying multiprotein complexes. He holds a PhD in Biochemistry from Georg-August University Göttingen and Max-Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, and a Diploma in Biochemistry from Georg-August University. Dr. Trowitzsch leads a team (TrowitzschLab) investigating fundamental aspects of gene expression and immune system function. His work integrates structural biology, molecular biology, and advanced biophysical techniques. Notable achievements include structural studies of the MHC-I peptide-loading complex and discoveries in tRNA splicing ligase mechanisms. Research Interests: Ribonucleoprotein complexes in gene expression Antigen processing pathways in adaptive immunity Development of tools for multiprotein complex analysis Key Awards: Marie-Curie Intra-European Fellowship (2010–2012) Max-Planck Research Stipend (2008–2009) Funding: DFG Grant on tRNA Biogenesis Associated Member of Collaborative Research Center 902 His group actively collaborates with institutions like the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and employs cutting-edge methods such as cryo-EM and mass spectrometry. Future work aims to bridge structural insights with functional studies of immune-related complexes.

Ralf FicnerView profile

Professor

• Structural Biology
• Molecular Biophysics
• RNA Processing
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Ralf Ficner is a Professor of Structural Biology at the University of Göttingen, leading the Department of Molecular Structural Biology since 2001. His research focuses on elucidating the relationship between macromolecular structures and cellular functions using methods like X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, and NMR spectroscopy. Key interests include RNA processing, nucleocytoplasmic transport, and protein-RNA complexes involved in post-transcriptional modification and splicing. Education & Career: Dr. rer. nat. (1992), Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry Postdoc (1993), EMBL Heidelberg (1994-1996) Junior Group Leader, University of Marburg (1997-2000) Head of Department of Molecular Structural Biology, University of Göttingen (2001-present) Research Interests: Structural biology of RNA-modifying enzymes, spliceosome components, and nuclear transport machinery. His lab has determined over 230 structures of proteins and nucleic acid complexes, emphasizing functional insights from atomic-level structural data. Publications: Recent work includes studies on tRNA processing enzymes, DEAH-box helicases, and CRM1-mediated nuclear export pathways, reflecting his expertise in structural enzymology and RNA biology. Affiliations: GGNB (Graduate School in Neurosciences, Biophysics & Molecular Biosciences), GZMB (Graduate School in Molecular Biosciences), and multiple interdisciplinary programs at the University of Göttingen. Labs & Teams: The Department of Molecular Structural Biology collaborates with EMBL, Max Planck Institutes, and international groups to advance structural biology techniques and their application to biological systems.

Ellen ZhongView profile

Assistant Professor

• Machine Learning
• Computational Biology
• Structural Biology
• +7 more

Ellen Zhong is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Princeton University, leading the E.Z. Lab for Molecular Machine Learning. Her research bridges AI and structural biology, focusing on cryo-EM/cryo-ET data analysis for protein structure-dynamics characterization. Ph.D. in Computer Science from MIT (2022) Former DeepMind AlphaFold team member Ex-D. E. Shaw Research in drug discovery Key research domains include 3D Reconstruction , Protein Dynamics , Cryo-EM Heterogeneity , and Interpretability in Biomedical AI . She develops open-source tools like cryoDRGN-AI and cryoDRGN for high-throughput structural biology applications. Recent publications demonstrate AI-cryo-EM synergy (2025) and heterogeneous dataset benchmarking (NeurIPS 2024). Her work has received Princeton's Junior Faculty Award (2025) for excellence in research and teaching. Scientific Recognition : Junior Faculty Award, Princeton (2025) Notable Collaborations : AlphaFold3 development (Nature 2024) CryoDRGN-AI (Nature Methods 2025) Lab members include computational biologists and machine learning researchers working on generative modeling and biomedical imaging . Current projects span in situ proteomics , diffusion-based structural sampling , and multimodal biomedical data fusion .

• Telomerase Biogenesis
• Chromosome End Protection
• Meiosis and Parthenogenesis
• +4 more

Peter Baumann is a Professor at the Institute for Molecular Biology (IMB) within Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany. His laboratory investigates fundamental mechanisms of chromosome biology with emphasis on telomere maintenance, meiotic processes, and evolutionary consequences of hybridization. The Baumann Lab operates from Ackermannweg 4, 55128 Mainz, and maintains active collaborations through DFG-funded initiatives including the SFB1361 consortium and the GeneEvo Research Training Group. Research interests center on three interconnected domains: (1) Telomerase biogenesis focusing on ncRNA subunit processing and regulatory mechanisms controlling telomerase activity; (2) Molecular triggers of parthenogenesis and clonal reproduction in vertebrates, particularly using Aspidoscelis lizards as model systems; (3) Hybridization and polyploidy effects on gene expression and fitness. His work bridges molecular mechanisms with evolutionary outcomes through innovative experimental approaches including in vitro evolution assays and synthetic speciation. Analysis of recent publications reveals consistent focus on telomerase RNA processing mechanisms across multiple model organisms, with increasing emphasis on evolutionary genomics of asexual vertebrate lineages. Key methodologies include fission yeast genetics, RNA biochemistry, and comparative cytogenetics of reptilian systems. EMBO Membership (2019) DFG Research Training Group 'Gene Regulation in Evolution' (GenEvo) Funding Baumann actively supervises doctoral researchers including Valentine Patterson and Lukas Ende (both joined 2019), with recent successful thesis defenses by Cameron. His laboratory participates in major collaborative grants including the SFB1361 consortium investigating chromosome organization. The research environment includes established protocols for fission yeast studies and specialized facilities for reptilian genomics. Lab activities documented through group photos, field excursions (lizard hunting, canoe trips), and scientific celebrations reflect an integrated research community focused on chromosome biology from molecular to evolutionary scales.

Karen AdelmanView profile

Professor

• Transcriptional Regulation
• RNA Polymerase II
• Gene-Environment Interactions
• +5 more

Karen Adelman is the Edward S. Harkness Professor of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at Harvard Medical School. She investigates the interplay between environmental signals and RNA polymerase II transcription, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of gene regulation in development and disease. Research Overview Her lab employs genomic approaches in Drosophila and murine models to study Pol II pausing, chromatin structure, and epigenetic features. Key areas include: Signal integration for gene network activation Transcriptional dynamics in inflammation and cancer Paused Pol II-chromatin interplay Enhancer RNA transcription Stress response gene regulation Scientific Awards National Science Foundation Fellowship (PhD support) Publications Trends Her recent work explores: Pol II pausing in spermatogenesis Integrator complex in stress response Notch signaling and elongation control Epigenetic RNA methylation dynamics Enhancer rewiring in oncogenesis Splicing modulator therapeutics

Iain L JohnstoneView profile

Professor

• Cell Cycle Control
• Collagen Biogenesis
• Molecular Genetics
• +4 more

Professor Iain L Johnstone is a faculty member at the University of Glasgow within the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, specifically in the School of Molecular Biosciences. His research primarily focuses on molecular mechanisms in Caenorhabditis elegans , including tissue-specific cell cycle regulation, collagen biogenesis, extracellular matrix dynamics, and RNA processing pathways. With over three decades of publications, he maintains an active research profile in molecular genetics and developmental biology. His core research explores: Genetic control of cell cycle in specific tissues Collagen biosynthesis and mutant collagen processing Extracellular matrix cross-linking enzymes RNA decay pathways and splicing mechanisms Redox balance in endoplasmic reticulum Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent themes in nematode biology, with emphasis on collagen structure-function relationships, post-transcriptional gene regulation, and developmental genetics. His work frequently employs genetic screens and molecular characterization to elucidate conserved biological pathways. Awards and recognitions include: MRC Senior Fellowship (1998-2003) MRC Career Development Fellowship (1998-2003) Membership in MRC College of Experts (2006-2009) MRC Advisory Board membership (1998-2003) Significant grant support includes projects from MRC, Wellcome Trust, and BBSRC, such as: Genetic modifiers of collagen IV mutations (Tenovus Scotland) Redox balance in endoplasmic reticulum (BBSRC/Wellcome Trust) Tissue-specific cell cycle control (MRC) Collagen biogenesis mechanisms (Wellcome Trust)

Ivan IossifovView profile

Professor

• Genomics
• Computational Biology
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• +3 more

Ivan Iossifov, Ph.D., is a Professor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory focused on computational genomics of neurodevelopmental disorders and cancer. He received his Ph.D. from Columbia University (2008) and B.S./M.S. in Computer Science from Sofia University (1997). His lab develops methods for genomic sequence analysis and molecular networks to study autism, bipolar disorder, and cancer etiology. Research integrates next-generation sequencing with molecular interaction networks to understand complex disease mechanisms. Key interests include de novo mutations in autism, structural variant characterization, and regulatory mechanisms of genetic penetrance. Publications demonstrate consistent focus on autism genomics, spanning variant discovery, functional characterization, and clinical correlations. Recent work emphasizes RNA splicing mechanisms, chromatin remodeling, and large-scale genomic architecture. Dr. Iossifov maintains collaborations through the NHLBI Trans-Omics Consortium and SFARI. His team develops bioinformatics tools like SnakeObjects workflow management and contributes to resources like MaizeCODE.

• Neuromuscular Disorders
• Genetic Diseases
• Molecular Biology
• +3 more

Dr. Fran Evesson is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, affiliated with the Kids Neuroscience Centre. Her research focuses on understanding inherited neuromuscular disorders using cell and animal models to develop precision therapies for conditions lacking treatments. She coordinates courses including AMED3888 and contributes to SOMS4102 and AMED3003/3903 instruction. Her core research investigates protein dysfunction in skeletal muscle, genetic disease mechanisms (particularly splicing abnormalities), and therapeutic interventions. Key areas include neuromuscular pathology, molecular biology of muscle repair, and genotype-phenotype correlations in muscular dystrophies. Methodologies span cellular/molecular approaches, pathogenesis studies, and protein trafficking analysis. Her publications (2019-2025) demonstrate consistent focus on genetic basis of muscle disorders, with recurring themes in RNA splicing defects, animal model validation, and diagnostic genomics. Recent work emphasizes novel gene-disease associations and therapeutic target identification through advanced sequencing technologies. Dr. Evesson mentors Honours/PhD students and junior researchers at Kids Neuroscience Centre. She has secured research funding including: 2019 NHMRC Ideas Grant: 'A new class of genetic splicing variant underlying inherited disorders and cancer' 2018 Muscular Dystrophy Association grant: 'PYROXD1; a novel cause of congenital myopathy'

Markus WahlView profile

Professor

• Structural Biochemistry
• RNA Biology
• Molecular Biology
• +5 more

Prof. Markus Wahl is a Biochemistry Professor at the Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy at Freie Universität Berlin. His research focuses on structural biochemistry, particularly RNA biology, molecular mechanisms of transcription, and protein interactions. His group investigates spliceosome dynamics, transcription termination factors, and the structural basis of bacterial resistance mechanisms. He leads the Wahl Group, which has produced significant contributions to understanding RNA processing, synaptic proteins, and drug design targeting clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Education details are not explicitly stated, but his career is centered at Freie Universität Berlin. Research interests include structural biochemistry, molecular inhibitors, and bacterial gene regulation. Recent work includes developing next-generation clathrin inhibitors and elucidating ρ factor inactivation mechanisms. Over 30 students have graduated under his supervision, many holding PhDs in biochemistry and molecular biology. His lab uses advanced structural biology techniques, including crystallography and cryo-EM, and collaborates with institutions like the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin. Current projects involve studying transcription complexes as RNA chaperones and the role of post-translational modifications in splicing regulation.

A. Gregory MateraView profile

Professor

• Genetics
• Cell Biology
• RNA processing
• +3 more

A. Gregory Matera is a Professor in both the Department of Genetics and the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms governing the assembly and subcellular localization of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs), which are essential for pre-mRNA splicing. Key Research Areas: snRNP biogenesis, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), post-transcriptional histone modifications, and nuclear body dynamics. Model Systems: Utilizes fruitfly, mouse, and human models to study RNP assembly and transport. Recent publications highlight his work on histone modifications, Polycomb group function, innate immune signaling in SMA models, and structural analysis of RNA-processing complexes. His lab investigates how defects in snRNP assembly contribute to SMA pathogenesis and explores biomolecular condensate formation in nuclear bodies. Contact: matera@unc.edu

Stepan DenisovView profile

Researcher

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Biochemistry
• +4 more

Stepan Denisov is a Researcher in the Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics. His work focuses on molecular mechanisms of RNA processing, aging-related mutational signatures, and antibiotic resistance. He has contributed to high-impact studies in Nature Communications , Nucleic Acids Research , and PLoS Computational Biology . Key research areas include RNA structure-function relationships, splice site evolution, and mitochondrial DNA dynamics. His 2025 study pioneered a high-throughput method for identifying antibiotic resistance mutations, while his 2022 paper revealed mitochondria-specific aging biomarkers. Collaborations span global institutions, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach. His research has garnered significant attention, with over 35 Mendeley readers for his 2021 Nature Communications article and media coverage for the antibiotic resistance work. Though no formal awards are listed, his publications demonstrate impactful contributions to molecular biology and genetics.

Tracy L JohnsonView profile

Professor

• RNA Splicing
• Chromatin Modification
• Yeast Genetics
• +4 more

Tracy L Johnson is a Professor in the Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), College of Letters and Science. Her research bridges molecular biology and health services, focusing on RNA processing, chromatin modification, and biomedical systems. Key Research Areas: RNA splicing, cotranscriptional regulation, yeast genetics, health services, and epigenetic mechanisms. Recent Publications: Highlight roles of chromatin in RNA splicing, dopamine signaling in neurological models, and computational approaches to gene structure. Awards: Recipient of the Suzanne Eaton Memorial Prize and NIH funding via IRACDA K12GM106996 (Co-PI) and R01GM085474 (PI).

Hans HenniesView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Genetic skin diseases
• Congenital ichthyoses
• Epidermal development
• +8 more

Dr. Hans Hennies is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Health, Education, Policing and Sciences at Staffordshire University. He holds a PhD in Human Genetics from Freie Universität Berlin and a Master's in Biochemistry from the same institution. Previously, he led research groups at the Cologne Center for Genomics, University of Cologne, and Medical University of Innsbruck. His research focuses on genetic skin disorders, particularly congenital ichthyoses, using 3D full-skin models to study epidermal development and barrier function. He develops patient-specific disease models using iPS cells and explores therapeutic applications of recombinant proteins. His work has been funded by major research bodies, and he serves on the board of the European Network for Skin Engineering and Modeling. Dr. Hennies has extensive teaching experience in medical genetics, genomics, physiology, and pathology across BSc and MSc programs in biology and biomedical sciences. His recent publications primarily investigate molecular mechanisms of skin diseases, therapeutic interventions for keratinization disorders, and genotype-phenotype correlations in rare dermatological conditions.