René Ketting

The major focus of my lab is gene regulation by small RNAs. Small RNAs are regulatory non-coding RNAs that have significant effects on translation, RNA stability and on chromatin. We use transgenics, genetics and biochemical and structural approaches to unravel the molecular pathways that are steered by small RNAs, focusing on a cell type that is rejuvenated every generation: germ cells. 

One of the major questions we address is how certain transcripts are selected to be turned into small regulatory RNAs, while others are not. This is crucial to understand, as these molecules fully determine the target specificity of the regulatory processes. In addition, we work to understand how small RNA pathways connect to other aspects of the germ cell's gene regulatory programmes in order to understand how this cell type can avoid mortality. Finally, an important current aim is to understand how phase separation acts to compartmentalise different steps in small RNA-mediated gene regulation. This is relevant in light of the many age-related diseases in which protein-RNA aggregates form and disturb cellular function. Germ cells can teach us how physiologically functional aggregates can be formed, controlled and used to control gene activity.

Research website

Positions held

• Since 2022: Executive Director, Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz
• Since 2012: Scientific Director, IMB, Mainz; Professor, Faculty of Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU), Mainz
• 2010 - 2013: Professor of Epigenetics in Development, University of Utrecht
• 2005 - 2012: Group Leader, Hubrecht Institute, Utrecht
• 2000 - 2004: Postdoctoral Researcher, Hubrecht Laboratory, Utrecht
• 2000: Postdoctoral Researcher, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories

Education

• 2000: PhD in Molecular Biology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam
• 1994: Masters in Chemistry, University of Leiden