Research

We currently study the function of nucleocytoplasmic network systems in nuclear shaping and meiotic chromosome dynamics

We investigate the molecular organization and evolutionary history of the mammalian meiotic chromosome

We study the adaptive and dynamic pleomorphism of parasites on the molecular, cellular and organismic level

Our research focuses on membrane biophysics of living cells and biomimetic model systems.

We investigate how African trypanosomes and Leishmania parasites adapt to different host environments

We study spatial aspects of mRNA metabolism in trypanosomes aiming to understand gene regulation.

We study the eukaryotic cytoskeleton and motor proteins.

Human trypanosomiasis and its animal form Nagana are a prime examples for the One Health concept

The exchange of surface coats is the phenotypic hallmark of antigenic variation. But in fact, this is just the tip of an iceberg

Trypanosomes enter the mammalian host with the bite of a hungry tsetse.

What do they do in the skin?

The trypanosome flagellum always beats. Motion is essential for immune escape, tsetse passage - and it is a very complex business

Trypanosomes limit the population size in the host by quorum sensing. What is the trigger?

The trypanosome VSG layer is a good model for fundamental studies on protein mobility.

The structure of the trypanosome surface coat is much more dynamic and flexible than generally assumed

Lipid-anchoring has implications on the sorting and trafficking of cell surface coat molecules

The tsetse fly provides a self-contained environment for adaptive morphogenesis of trypanosome microswimmers

The nuclear envelope provides the central platform for meiotic chromosome pairing and synapsis and is lynchpin for nuclear shaping during sperm formation.

Various aspects of mRNA metabolism in trypanosomes are related to the regulation of gene expression.

Trypanosomes have heavily invested in their microtubule-based cytoskeleton, but their actomyosin system is reduced.

Cell Adhesion is more than a handshake between binders. What role does physics play?

We employ cell models and model cells to shed light on membranes as multitasking organelles at the cellular interface with the outside.

“The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen…” (Saint-Exupery), but we try anyways.

We want to know how telomere-binding complexes influence anti-genic variation, chromosome integrity and recombination events

We want to learn why changes in chromatin structure and nuclear architecture are important for developmental differentiation in trypanosomes.

We want to investigate how the histone methyltransferase DOT1A regulates replication initiation in African trypanosomes

Molecular cell biology and evolutionary history in metazoans

Theodor Boveri's original manuscripts and microscope slides rediscovered.