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Sabrina Bacher Helmholtz Munich

Niessing Lab

Our main interest is to understand principles of RNA-mediated gene regulation and its contribution to pathologies. Our research tools include structural biology and biophysics, RNA and protein biochemistry as well as various aspects of cell biology. In addition, we run the X-ray crystallography platform at HMGU. Furthermore, we are also closely interacting with our partner lab at the Ulm University.

Our main interest is to understand principles of RNA-mediated gene regulation and its contribution to pathologies. Our research tools include structural biology and biophysics, RNA and protein biochemistry as well as various aspects of cell biology. In addition, we run the X-ray crystallography platform at HMGU. Furthermore, we are also closely interacting with our partner lab at the Ulm University.

About us

Our interest in RNA-mediated disorders revolves mainly around the following disorders:

PURA Syndrome: PURA is an ubiquitously expressed protein with enrichment in the brain. Sporadic mutations in its gene result in the rare neurodevelopmental disorder PURA Syndrome. We are closely interacting with the patient-organizations PURA Syndrome Foundation (US-based), PURA Foundation Australia, and PURA Syndrome Deutschland e.V. to understand which molecular and cellular pathways are affected in this disorder and result in the patient's symptoms. Towards this goal, we combine our classical structural and biochemical approaches with cell-culture studies, including iPSC-based analyses, and various omics approaches. In addition, we are building up a PURA Biobank to foster research with patient-derived material.

Poly-glutamine diseases: These diseases are caused by pathologically expanded trinucleotide repeats in disease-related genes that are translated into polyQ stretches. Proteins with such expanded polyQ stretches tend to form neurotoxic aggregates. Together with our collaboration partners at the RWTH Aachen, we are characterizing the therapeutic potential of a novel drug target towards a preventive treatment of affected patients in early stages of their disease.

RNA regulation in T-cells: In a close collaboration with the groups of Vigo Heissmeyer (AMIR @ HMGU) and Michael Sattler (STB @ HMGU), we aim to understand how the RNA-binding protein Roquin and its cofactors regulate the expression of co-stimulatory receptors. A mutation in Roquin has been recently shown to cause autoimmune-like symptoms, indicating the importance of understanding how Roquin and its partners regulate the strengh of immune responses.

The X-ray Crystallography Plattform is run by our group. It is used for high-resolution structure determination of proteins and co-complexes with other proteins, nucleic acids or small inhibitory molecules. A range of collaborations and publications has emerged from this activity.

 

Public Science

Group members

Robert Janowski

Dr. Robert Janowski

Staff scientist
Carolin Ketteler

Carolin Ketteler

PhD student

David Settele

PhD student
Sabrina Bacher

Sabrina Bacher

PhD student
Simone Riebe-Züfle

Simone Riebe-Züfle

Secretary

Vera Roman

Technical assistant
Gisela Dettweiler

Gisela Dettweiler

Technical assistant

Silvia Marcato

Master student

Avina Omidi

Master student

Publications

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Niessing Lab

Contact

Simone Riebe-Züfle

Simone Riebe-Züfle

Secretary

Building 43, room 029