A5078414184- RNA Research and Splicing
- Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
- Cancer-related molecular mechanisms research
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Bioinformatics and Genomic Networks
- RNA modifications and cancer
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Molecular Biology Techniques and Applications
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Gene Regulatory Network Analysis
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Genetic Mapping and Diversity in Plants and Animals
- Biochemical and biochemical processes
- Piperaceae Chemical and Biological Studies
- Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Gene expression and cancer classification
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Genetic Associations and Epidemiology
- Forensic and Genetic Research
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
Freie Universität Berlin
2017-2025
Institute of Bioinformatics
2025
Leipzig University
2012-2017
University of Hohenheim
2017
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
2009-2011
Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics
2011
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
2002-2008
Max Planck Society
2002-2008
Hochschule Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences
2005
The determination of the chimpanzee genome sequence provides a means to study both structural and functional aspects evolution human genome. Here we compare humans chimpanzees with respect differences in expression levels protein-coding sequences for genes active brain, heart, liver, kidney, testis. We find that patterns gene are markedly similar. In particular, there is gradation selective constraints among tissues so brain shows least between species whereas liver most. Furthermore, as...
Androgens are pleiotropic and play pivotal roles in the formation variation of sexual phenotypes. We show that differences circulating androgens between three male mating morphs ruff sandpipers linked to 17-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (HSD17B2), encoded by a gene within supergene determines morphs. Low-testosterone males had higher HSD17B2 expression blood than high-testosterone males, as well brain areas related social behaviors testosterone production. Derived isozymes, which...
Humans differ from other primates by marked differences in cognitive abilities and a significantly larger brain. These correlate with metabolic changes, as evidenced the relative up-regulation of energy-related genes metabolites human While mechanisms underlying these evolutionary changes have not been elucidated, altered activities key transcription factors (TFs) could play pivotal role. To assess this possibility, we analyzed microarray data five tissues humans chimpanzees. We identified...
Organisms typically face infection by diverse pathogens, and hosts are thought to have developed specific responses each type of pathogen they encounter. The advent transcriptomics now makes it possible test this hypothesis compare host gene expression multiple pathogens at a genome-wide scale. Here, we performed meta-analysis published new transcriptomes using newly bioinformatics approach that filters genes based on their profile across datasets. Thereby, identified common unique molecular...
Condensates are found at synapses where they support the clustering of synaptic vesicles (SVs) and neurotransmitter release. The possibility RNA promoting formation or function these condensates is not known. Here, we set out to assess whether affects molecular in synapse could be regulated sites, focusing on synapsin-1, which essential for condensates. Using vitro reconstitution systems, cell lines neurons, show that drives synapsin-1 coacervation, with some bias toward structured RNAs...
Independent determination of both haplotype sequences an individual genome is essential to relate genetic variation function, phenotype, and disease. To address the importance phase, we have generated most complete haplotype-resolved date, “Max Planck One” (MP1), by fosmid pool-based next generation sequencing. Virtually all SNPs (>99%) 80,000 indels were phased into haploid up 6.3 Mb (N50 ∼1 Mb). The completeness phasing allowed concrete molecular pairs for vast majority genes (81%)...
Network analyses, such as of gene co-expression networks, metabolic networks and ecological have become a central approach for the systems-level study biological data. Several software packages exist generating analyzing either from correlation scores or absolute value transformed score called weighted topological overlap (wTO). However, since regulatory processes can up- down-regulate genes, it is great interest to explicitly consider both positive negative correlations when constructing...
Recent segmental duplications (SDs), arising from duplication events that occurred within the past 35–40 My, have provided a major resource for evolution of proteins with primate-specific functions. KRAB zinc finger (KRAB-ZNF) transcription factor genes are overrepresented among contained these recent human SDs. Here, we examine structural and functional diversity 70 KRAB-ZNF involved in most primate SD including arose hominid lineage. Despite their advent, many parent–daughter gene pairs...
Non-coding RNAs regulate many biological processes including neurogenesis. The brain-enriched miR-124 has been assigned as a key player of neuronal differentiation via its complex but little understood regulation thousands annotated targets. To systematically chart regulatory functions, we used CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to disrupt all six alleles in human induced pluripotent stem cells. Upon induction, miR-124-deleted cells underwent neurogenesis and became functional neurons, albeit with...
The molecular changes underlying major phenotypic differences between humans and other primates are not well understood, but alterations in gene regulation likely to play a role. Here we performed thorough evolutionary analysis of the largest family primate transcription factors, Krüppel-type zinc finger (KZNF) family. We identified curated pseudogene models for KZNFs three species, chimpanzee, orangutan rhesus macaque, allow comparison with set human KZNFs. show that recent history has been...
Evidence indicates that transposable elements (TEs) can contribute to the evolution of new traits, despite often being considered deleterious. In vertebrates, some KRAB-ZNF proteins repress TEs, offering genomic protection. Notably, genes evolve rapidly and exhibit diverse expression patterns in primate brains, where TEs remain active. This prompts questions about their interactions brains potential roles human brain disease. For a systematic comparative analysis TE with other genes, we...
Evidence indicates that transposable elements (TEs) can contribute to the evolution of new traits, despite often being considered deleterious. In vertebrates, some KRAB-ZNF proteins repress TEs, offering genomic protection. Notably, genes evolve rapidly and exhibit diverse expression patterns in primate brains, where TEs remain active. This prompts questions about their interactions brains potential roles human brain disease. For a systematic comparative analysis TE with other genes, we...
Biological relatedness is a key consideration in studies of behavior, population structure, and trait evolution. Except for parent–offspring dyads, pedigrees capture imperfectly. The number length identical-by-descent DNA segments (IBD) yield the most precise estimates. Here, we leverage different methods estimating IBD from low-depth whole genome resequencing data to demonstrate feasibility value resolving fine-scaled gradients free-living animals. Using primarily 4 6× depth rhesus macaque...
Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder involving widespread molecular disruptions, many of which remain poorly understood. While AD pathology progresses through distinct brain regions, it unclear whether these regions are similarly affected. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as key regulators in cellular processes, but their roles largely unexplored. A comprehensive analysis the interactions underlying AD, particularly lncRNAs with...
The human prefrontal cortex (PFC) differs from that of other primates with respect to size, histology, and functional abilities. Here, we analyzed genome-wide expression data humans, chimpanzees, rhesus macaques discover evolutionary changes in transcription factor (TF) networks may underlie these phenotypic differences. We determined the co-expression all TFs species-specific including their potential target genes interaction partners PFC three species. Integrating allowed us inferring an...
Abstract To fully understand human biology and link genotype to phenotype, the phase of DNA variants must be known. Here we present a comprehensive analysis haplotype-resolved genomes assess nature variation haplotypes their pairs, diplotypes, in European population samples. We use set 14 generated by fosmid clone-based sequencing, complemented expanded up 372 statistically resolved from 1000 Genomes Project. find immense diversity both haploid diploid gene forms, 4.1 3.9 million...
Biological and medical sciences are increasingly acknowledging the significance of gene co-expression-networks for investigating complex-systems, phenotypes or diseases. Typically, complex investigated under varying conditions. While approaches comparing nodes links in two networks exist, almost no methods comparison multiple available and—to best our knowledge—no comparative method allows whole transcriptomic network analysis. However, it is aim many studies to compare different conditions,...
A substantial fraction of phenotypic differences between closely related species are likely caused by in gene regulation. While this has already been postulated over 30 years ago, only few examples evolutionary changes regulation have verified. Here, we identified and investigated binding sites the transcription factor GA-binding protein alpha (GABPa) aiming to discover cis-regulatory adaptations on human lineage. By performing chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing experiments a cell...
Network approaches have become pervasive in many research fields. They allow for a more comprehensive understanding of complex relationships between entities as well their group-level properties and dynamics. Many networks change over time, be it within seconds or millions years, depending on the nature network. Our focus will comparative network analyses life sciences, where deciphering temporal changes is core interest molecular, ecological, neuropsychological evolutionary biologists....