The section Molecular Cell Biology (Prof. Hüttelmaier) characterizes RNA-guided mechanisms controlling gene expression in cancer. These studies center on RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) as well as non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs). The main goals of our research are to identify and characterize mechanisms of post-transcriptional control of gene expression by RBPs and ncRNAs. This sets the stage to explore, evaluate and progress (1) new biomarkers for tumor diagnostics, (2) therapeutic targets, as well as (3) novel therapeutic concepts for targeted cancer therapy based on small molecule drugs for the inhibition of oncoRBPs and circular RNAs serving as decoys for oncomiRs.
