Holger Richly joins IMB to study stem cell differentiation and ageing

Dr. Holger Richly joined the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) as the first of a second wave of new Group Leaders

19.07.2011

Differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ES cells) gives rise to over 200 types of specialized cell, all of which perform specific and well-defined functions within our body. For an embryo to develop properly, cellular differentiation needs to be well orchestrated with the right cells differentiating in the right places and at the right times. This is achieved through specific genes which determine the fate of cells during embryonic development. Epigentic factors are crucial for the regulation of these genes. For instance, the modification of chromatin by various biochemical marks controls whether a gene is silenced or actively expressed. Dr. Holger Richly and his team study the interplay between various epigenetic factors and identify new components that interpret the epigenetic landscape and drive cells into differentiation. A deeper understanding of these processes and the underlying epigenetic mechanisms will ultimately be important for the success of regenerative medicine and new cancer treatments.

Another focus of Dr. Richly's laboratory is ageing research. Ageing is accompanied by phenotypic changes that reflect altered gene expression states within an organism. Dr. Richly's team investigates how epigenetic regulation alters gene expression patterns during the course of ageing. To conduct this research his laboratory utilizes the nematode C. elegans, a classical animal for ageing research in which many cellular pathways are known to impact on longevity. Using this model organism Dr. Richly's research aims to discover the epigenetic components that directly determine an animal's lifespan and to elucidate the role of both well-known and novel epigenetic marks during ageing. These findings will deliver new insights into the molecular mechanisms of the ageing process and open new avenues for therapeutic intervention in age-related diseases.

Prior to joining IMB, Dr. Richly has investigated the epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried and more recently at the Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG) in Barcelona.

The Institute of Molecular Biology gGmbH (IMB) is a newly established research center of excellence in Mainz. It is funded by the Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation which has dedicated €100 million over the next 10 years to cover research at IMB - one of the largest private donations for basic research in Germany to date. The aim of IMB is to conduct cutting-edge research in developmental biology, epigenetics, DNA repair, and related biomedical areas. These areas are producing exciting results that transform our understanding of how we develop, adapt to our environment, age, or develop diseases, such as cancer.