Project Details
Projekt Print View

GRK 1591:  Posttranscriptional Control of Gene Expression: Mechanisms and Role in Pathogenesis

Subject Area Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
Term from 2010 to 2019
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 105533105
 
Final Report Year 2019

Final Report Abstract

The RTG1591 „Post-transcriptional control of gene expression: mechanisms and role in pathogenesis” was established at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) in 2010. Its main goal was the structured training of PhD and MD students in investigating how deregulation of gene expression at the level of (m)RNA modulates diseases in humans and plants. To this end, the RTG1591 combined interdisciplinary research efforts of scientists from respective fields who aimed at investigating molecular mechanisms underlying the post-transcriptional control of gene expression (PTCG), the role of deregulated PTCG in human diseases encompassing cardiovascular diseases as well as cancer, and the deregulated PTCG in plants and plant-pathogen interactions. These efforts allowed establishing a truly interdisciplinary training framework for natural science as well as medical students. The major goal of the training network was to educate students in high-end technologies, theoretical as well as professional skills to pursue an independent career in academia or industry. The scientific goal of the RTG1591 was to promote our understanding of disease-relevant mechanisms underlying the RNA-dependent control of gene expression. This research focus was motivated by the substantial progress in this research field since the beginning of this millennium when the impact and ample applications of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNAs, sRNAs (small bacterial RNAs) and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) modulating their mode of action was begun to be unraveled. Although the medical and agricultural application of the since then gained knowledge is still in its infancy, the recent approval of the first RNA-based medication like nusinersen and patisiran emphasizes the hyperopia of establishing a structured training program for early career scientists to fuel the progress of the involved research efforts. The RTG1591 directly supported and trained 45 natural scientist PhD and 16 medical students since 2010. The vast majority of these successfully pursued an academic career in the RNA field or in pharmaceutic industry. The scientific output of the RTG1591 was substantial with 46 peer-reviewed scientific articles published since 2010 with participation of students directly supported by the RTG1591 and a total of 102 publications of RTG1591-associated publications. Moreover, the design and leitmotiv of the RTG1591’s training program inspired the establishment of two other research training groups at the MLU, the RTG2155 and the RTG2467. These evolved and adapted the training concepts of the RTG1591 to fit their field of research interest. Most importantly, however, the major progress in addressing the role of RNA/RBP-guided regulation of gene expression (R3oGE) in human diseases inspired by the RTG1591 set the stage for a collaborative research center initiative (CRC1440) entitled “RNA in focus (RIF) – From mechanisms to novel therapeutic strategies in human medicine”. The CRC1440 aims at continuing the research efforts of the RTG1591 at a scientifically evolved level to pursue new therapeutic avenues settling on the gained knowledge on the role of R3oGE in cancer. To this end scientists participating in the RTG1591 at the MLU and recently recruited colleagues of the medical faculty of the MLU plan to join efforts with colleagues located at research institutions in Leipzig. In retro perspective, the RTG1591 had a substantial, trend-setting impact on establishing and evolving training concepts for graduate students and significantly contributed to establishing a competitive research framework in the central German region. This future investment of the DFG set the stage to proceed and establish research efforts aiming at implementing insights gained or initiated by the RTG1591 to pursue new applications in agriculture and medicine.

Publications

 
 

Additional Information

Textvergrößerung und Kontrastanpassung