Julian König

Julian König is a Professor and Group Leader at the University of Würzburg, specializing in RNA biology and its connections to ageing and age-related diseases. His interdisciplinary research combines functional genomics and high-throughput methodologies to investigate RNA regulation, modifications, and quality control mechanisms.

Education

• PhD in Biology, Philipps University Marburg (2008), summa cum laude
• Diploma in Biology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich (1997-2003)

Research Focus

Dr. König's lab deciphers the molecular code of RNA modifications (e.g., m6A) and their roles in gene expression, dosage compensation, and disease. Key projects include unraveling splicing regulation in ageing, dissecting m6A dynamics, and identifying RNA quality control pathways linked to neurodegeneration and cancer.

His team employs advanced technologies such as iCLIP, in vitro iCLIP, miCLIP2, and massively parallel reporter assays to map protein-RNA interactions and regulatory elements. Their work has revealed critical insights into RNA-binding protein networks and their implications in conditions like CART-19 therapy resistance in B-ALL leukemia.

Scientific Recognition

• Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) Long-term Fellowship (2009)
• IMPRS PhD Fellowship (2004)

Research Journey

Prof. König's career spans positions at the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB, Mainz, 2013-2023), postdoctoral work at the LMB (Cambridge, UK) and University College London (2008-2013), and early training at the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology (2003-2008).