BMBF-Verbundprojekt e:Bio RNAsys – Systembiologie der RNA

Description of the project:
Regulatory RNA:RNA interactions have recently emerged as an important level of regulation of gene expression above the primary control of transcription at the level of DNA. Even simple unicellular bacteria possess hundreds of regulatory non-coding RNAs that interact with cellular mRNAs to modulate central biological functions. However, the specifics of RNA-based regulation, why certain regulatory mechanisms employ RNA molecules rather than proteins as regulators, the dynamics and integration of RNA into the global regulatory network are less understood. Here we will identify the principles and specific advantages of RNA-based regulation, analyse and model why certain regulatory circuits are built on RNA rather than protein components, and unravel the systemic functions of regulatory RNA as integral components of regulatory networks. Our ultimate goal is to exploit these principles inbiotechnology and medicine.

Additional information: http://www.bioinf.uni-freiburg.de
contact person: Prof. Dr. Rolf Backofen
Phone: 0761 203 7461
Email: backofen@informatik.uni-freiburg.de
Runtime:
Start of project: 2013
End of project: 2015
Project Management:
Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg
Prof. Dr. Rolf Backofen
Bioinformatik
Prof. Dr. Rolf Backofen
Georges-Köhler-Allee 106
79110 Freiburg
Germany

Phone: +49 (0) 761-203-7461
Fax: +49 (0) 761-203-7462
Email: backofen@informatik.uni-freiburg.de
http://www.bioinf.uni-freiburg.de
Actual Research Report