Introduction
Welcome to the Schmitz-Linneweber lab. We are studying the genetic and molecular basis of nuclear-organellar interactions in plants and apicomplexan parasites. Specifically, we study novel eukaryotic RNA binding proteins developed in the nucleus to manipulate chloroplast and mitochondrial RNAs and are interested how phase-separation processes shapes the topology of organellar RNA metabolism.
Research
We investigate RNA-binding proteins—including PPRs, cpRNPs, and MatK—that are critical for assembling the photosynthetic machinery during early chloroplast development. Additionally, we study HPR proteins, helicases, and nucleases involved in the expression of fragmented rRNAs that form the atypical mitochondrial ribosome of Toxoplasma gondii.
Teaching
The team of Molecular Genetics at Humboldt offers teaching courses in basic and advanced genetics and molecular biology. We are teaching bachelor and master modules.
Teams
We conduct research in two complementary units within the Molecular Genetics Group: one dedicated to plant organellar RNA metabolism, the other to mitochondrial RNA metabolism in Toxoplasma gondii.