Prof. Dr. Michael Kiebler

Keywords: synaptic plasticity, synapse, RNA transport, local translation, RNA binding protein, autism, epilepsy

Research methods: neurons in culture, mouse models, RNA biology, RNA and protein imaging in living cells, biochemistry of RNA granules from rat brain, FISH, qRT-PCR, protein biochemistry

Brief research description: A long-term goal of the Kiebler lab is to understand the molecular basis of synaptic plasticity. Here, we are particularly interested in how individual synapses, the point of contact and communication between neurons, are altered during their lifetime and how this contributes to our ability to learn and remember. It has recently emerged that one important underlying mechanism is dendritic RNA localization and subsequent translational control at the synapse. In these crucial processes, RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play essential roles. Over the last decade, the Kiebler lab has identified a series of RBPs, e.g. Staufen2, Pumilio2 and Barentsz and has extensively characterized their functional contribution to dendritic RNA localization and translational control at the synapse. 

Current or graduated GSN students: Dr. Karl Bauer, Kenneth Klau, Giuliana Gioccopiedi

Selected publication:

Bauer er al., 2019, 2022, Nature Communications Ehses et al., 2022, Nucleic Acid Research Schieweck et al., 2021, Physiol. Reviews Berger et al., 2017, Genome Biol.