Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU) Mainz

Telomere shortening occurs during normal cell proliferation and limits the lifespan of most cell populations. In stem cells and many cancers, telomeric DNA is replenished by the enzyme telomerase. Our group is working on understanding the assembly and regulation of telomerase. Specifically, we are interested in defining the roles of RNA chaperones in telomerase biogenesis, the mechanisms of chromosome end capping and the role telomeres play in maintaining resilience from the cellular to organismal level.

It is our overarching goal to identify compounds that can limit the lifespan of tumour cells or boost the proliferative potential of desired cell populations, and could be used in regenerative therapies or to promote longevity.

Research website

Positions held

• Since 2021: Director, Centre for Healthy Ageing, Mainz
• Since 2018: Adjunct Director, Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) and Professor of Molecular Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University, (JGU), Mainz
• 2013 - 2019: Professor, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, USA
• 2013 - 2018: Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, USA
• 2009 - 2013: Early Career Scientist, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Associate Investigator at Stowers Institute for Medical Research and Associate Professor, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, USA
• 2004 - 2008: Assistant Investigator, Stowers Institute for Medical Research and Assistant Professor, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, USA
• 2000 - 2002: Research Associate, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
• 1998 - 2000: Postdoctoral fellow, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA

Education

• 1998: PhD in Biochemistry, University College London, UK
• 1994: MPhil in Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, UK
• 1993: BA in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Cambridge, UK