Klemens J. Hertel

Klemens J. Hertel is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of RNA splicing, particularly the regulation of alternative splicing events such as NAGNAG splicing and their implications in cancer and cellular processes. He has contributed extensively to understanding spliceosome dynamics, RNA processing, and the interplay between splicing and gene regulation.

Key research areas include the influence of genetic and epigenetic factors on splicing efficiency, the role of RNA-binding proteins in splice site selection, and the impact of metabolic signals on alternative splicing. His work integrates biochemical assays, high-throughput sequencing, and computational modeling to uncover fundamental mechanisms in molecular genetics.

Recent studies highlight his exploration of splicing defects in cancer progression, the regulatory networks governing spliceosome assembly, and the functional consequences of alternative polyadenylation. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles, with notable contributions to journals like Nucleic Acids Research and Molecular and Cellular Biology.

Dr. Hertel’s grants include NIH funding (R01 GM062287, R21 CA149548) for projects on splicing regulation and cancer biology. His lab is at the forefront of developing in vitro splicing systems and tools for studying RNA processing. Mentorship of students and postdocs in molecular genetics and biochemistry underscores his commitment to training future scientists.