Ana Rebane

Ana Rebane is a Professor of Molecular Medicine at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine since October 2019. Previously, she served as a Senior Research Fellow in RNA Biology (2016-2019) and in the Department of General and Molecular Pathology. She has held various research positions at the University of Tartu since 2004, with a visiting scientist position at the Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (2010-2013) and a postdoctoral associate at Yale University (2000-2003).

Her educational background includes a Doctor's Degree from the University of Tartu (1999) with a thesis on "Mammalian ribosomal protein S3a genes and intron-encoded small nucleolar RNAs U73 ans U82" under Andres Metspalu. She completed her PhD studies from 1995-1998 and earned her degree in Bioorganic Chemistry from Tartu University (1984-1989).

Ana Rebane's research focuses on immunology, molecular biology, and RNA biology, particularly in the context of allergy, asthma, and skin conditions. Her work extensively examines the role of microRNAs in immune responses, inflammasome activation, and skin barrier function. She investigates how RNA modifications, particularly in keratinocytes, influence inflammatory responses in conditions like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Her research bridges basic molecular mechanisms with clinical applications, exploring therapeutic delivery systems like cell-penetrating peptides for RNA-based treatments.

Her publication record shows a strong focus on molecular mechanisms of skin and respiratory inflammation, with recent work emphasizing RNA modifications, inflammasome biology, and innovative delivery systems for nucleic acid therapeutics. Her research demonstrates consistent progression from basic molecular mechanisms to translational applications, particularly in dermatological and respiratory conditions.

• 2020 Estonian National Science Award (medical sciences)
• 2019 Academic Leader of Eastern Europe, European Society of Dermatological Research
• 2015 The Eastern European Dermatology Research Award
• 2014 Research Fellow from European Society of Dermatological Research
• 2010 SCIEX stipendium to work at Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research
• 2000 Fellowship from NATO-NSF
• 1997 Fellowship from Finnish Government
• 1996 Fellowship from Nordic Council of Ministers

Ana Rebane serves in significant administrative roles including Member of the University of Tartu Senate (since 2023), President of the Estonian Society of Human Genetics (since 2022), and Board Member of the same society (since 2020). She is an Associated Editor for Frontiers in Allergy (since 2020) and serves on the Reviewer Board of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (since 2017). She has been an active member of several professional societies including the European Society of Dermatological Research and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Her research activities are centered around the Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine at the University of Tartu, where her team investigates molecular mechanisms of immune responses, particularly focusing on RNA biology and its implications for inflammatory skin and respiratory diseases. Her laboratory develops and applies advanced techniques for studying gene regulation, epigenetic modifications, and innovative therapeutic delivery systems.